I am in a state of terror and am trying to calm myself down as I am flying next week. I thought that the cruising part of the flight is meant to be the safest
time and I cannot believe what I have read on the news about a recent quantas incident?! This isnt the one that happened months ago this is a new one that just
happened - apparently the plane just fell out of the sky twice before pilots could straighten the plane out and lots of people were seriously injured with
broken bones even! I dont understand I am panicking so much I cant take this flight now how will I possibly be calm. I have been avoiding newspapers and media
talk and this just popped up on my computer screen. why are there so many things happening? Please can a pilot explain why this happened? It said maybe a
mobile phone use or something. Thank you so much
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QUANTAS
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 Caro |
QUANTAS |
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Posts: 2 (10/10/08 05:03:07) |
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2411 (10/10/08 09:06:11) |
Re: "apparently the plane just fell out of the sky".
No. There was an autopilot malfunction which had the same effect as if the pilots pushed forward on the controls. When you go around a curve in your car at only 55 MPH, it is easy to turn sharp enough to cause a person to fall over, or even be thrown about the car, if they are not wearing a seat belt. Normally, a driver does not make a violent maneuver, but to avoid hitting another car, if a passenger is not wearing a seat belt, the passenger can be thrown about the car, and possibly injured even if the other car is missed. Consider going ten times that fast. When going 550 MPH, any change in the direction the plane is pointed -- just as in your car -- can cause a person to be thrown about if they are not wearing a seat belt. People simply will not follow directions. It seems to make no difference how many times flight attendants tell people to wear a seat belt, even when there is no turbulence and even when the seat belt sign is not on. Some will not do it. Some people simply will not wear their seat belts in a car, either. But if you do, on a plane, you will be fully protected in case there is either unexpected turbulence or an autopilot malfunction, as in this case. It is simple: wear the seat belt and no harm will come to you. |
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PrincessVespa |
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Posts: 5 (10/24/08 10:35:03) |
This is probably not much comfort to those who were injured on the flight, but my understanding is that the jet fell about 550-600 feet during its 20-second
unexpected pitch. So it went from 37,000 to 36,400 feet in the air. The reason why this is getting so much attention is precisely because it's so unusual
(and because it follows so closely on the heels of the plane-with-a-hole-in-it incident). Look at it this way: now that such a thing has happened, probably
every airline in the world is double-checking its autopilot and making sure the pilots know what to do if the autopilot acts out of the ordinary.
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Capt Tom Bunn MSW LCSW |
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Posts: 2423 (10/24/08 16:05:36) |
Sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who just will not follow instructions, will not wear a seat belt. Sure, they don't wear is because
they think nothing is going to happen, because almost always nothing happens.
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OneAnt |
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Posts: 705 (10/24/08 21:48:56) |
I've said it before, but apparently I need to say it again. If you're in your seat, fasten your belt. If the seatbelt sign is on, go back to your seat
and fasten your belt.
Turb is NOT an issue for the plane, but it can be a safety issue if you're not being careful and following instructions. BTW, Quantas is QANTAS (Queensland And Northern Territory Air Service). Try going to http://www.quantas.com, and then try http://www.qantas.com and you'll see what I mean. |
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Note from Capt. Tom I know everyone worries about weather, but pilots really do not worry about it. We simply - instead of worrying about it - completely prepare for it. Before going to the plane, we review the weather at the destination. If it is not 100% sure to be within legal limits when we arrive at the destination, we must specify an alternate airport in our planning documents, and load on plenty of fuel for going to the destination airport, and then if need be, diverting to the alternate airport. The legal limits are conservative. Even when weather is slightly outside the legal limits, any airline pilot could still land safely. You can rely on the captain never to land when the weather is not legal, and legality limits are reached prior to safety limits. If you are still anxious, call me and we can talk it over. I'm at 877 332-7359 from 10 AM until 7 PM Eastern time. For effective help, even if you are flying in a day or two, sign up now at www.fearofflying.com/fasttrack and call me when you finish Clip 9 so I can make sure you are all set. |
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Using Weather Information If you enter your ZIP Code or City at the top of the weather presentation, it will give you weather for your area. Or, you can enter your destination ZIP Code or City.
Click on the "LOCAL RADAR" button to see whether or not there are thunder- Turbulence, though it may cause anxiety, does not mean anything is wrong. Turbulence does not mean danger. The plane can handle far more turbulence than Mother Nature can dish out. Though flying in turbulence is safe, it doesn't feel safe. And here is where the SOAR programs come in. We can help you feel as safe when you fly as you actually are. You can see these programs at www.fearofflying.com/store. |
