Holed Southwest Airlines flight makes emergency landing

Gerald · 04-02-11, 06:44 AM

An airliner has made an emergency landing in the United States after a gaping hole in the roof caused a sudden drop in cabin pressure.

Southwest Airlines flight 182 from Phoenix to Sacramento put down safely at a military air base in Arizona.

Passengers heard a bang as the roof panel blew open in the cabin. "You can see completely outside," one woman told the Associated Press news agency.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12945453

Note: 2 April 2011 Last updated at 06:57 GMT

CCIP · 04-02-11, 11:06 AM

2nd time relatively recently that a Southwest plane popped a hole in the upper fuselage. They do fly their fly their planes pretty hard - really fast turnarounds and a lot of cycles. Hopefully this isn't pointing to either a flaw in the 737-700, or Southwest's maintenance procedures...

Gerald · 04-02-11, 11:55 AM

Luckily no one was hurt anyway

Gargamel · 04-02-11, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCIP

2nd time relatively recently that a Southwest plane popped a hole in the upper fuselage. They do fly their fly their planes pretty hard - really fast turnarounds and a lot of cycles. Hopefully this isn't pointing to either a flaw in the 737-700, or Southwest's maintenance procedures...

Doubt it's a flaw just due to the number of 737's flying....

gimpy117 · 04-02-11, 01:46 PM

It's probably from airframe age. Too many cycles on it, and poor or nonexistent inspections. There will probably be an investigation because this isn't the first time a 737 has lost a roof panel due to stress on the airframe from pressurization. It happened to Aloha Airlines in 1988. One flight attendant was blown from the aircraft.

The FAA found that the aircraft was old, not well taken care of and not well inspected (there were actually visible cracks that were overlooked before the flight). They slapped a Huge Fine on Aloha and the company is currently no more. With the recent incident, it sounds like one of the 737's Safety measures Tripped, a "Controlled Area Breakaway Zone" designed to rupture before the rest of the structure did. Except on the Aloha plane it was so old that when this happened the rest went with it. The Southwest plane was lucky that this didn't happen.

Gargamel · 04-02-11, 04:20 PM

Hmmmmm..... convertible model..... interesting.....

But I remember when that happened.

Growler · 04-02-11, 05:05 PM

Rumor I've heard is that, aside from the inevitable grounding of their -300s for inspection, that SWA has been intending to phase out their operations of the -300's as the -800s come online.

Also, considering SWA's safety history against that of other airlines, and the quality of service I've had from them, I wouldn't hesitate any measurable amount of time to fly aboard their aircraft.

I expect that there will be lawsuits for emotional distress and lots of morning talk show circuit tours for many of the passengers, though.

04-02-11, 06:44 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Holed Southwest Airlines flight makes emergency landing An airliner has made an emergency landing in the United States after a gaping hole in the roof caused a sudden drop in cabin pressure. Southwest Airlines flight 182 from Phoenix to Sacramento put down safely at a military air base in Arizona. Passengers heard a bang as the roof panel blew open in the cabin. "You can see completely outside," one woman told the Associated Press news agency. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12945453 Note: 2 April 2011 Last updated at 06:57 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

04-02-11, 11:06 AM	#2
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	2nd time relatively recently that a Southwest plane popped a hole in the upper fuselage. They do fly their fly their planes pretty hard - really fast turnarounds and a lot of cycles. Hopefully this isn't pointing to either a flaw in the 737-700, or Southwest's maintenance procedures... __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart)

04-02-11, 11:55 AM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Luckily no one was hurt anyway __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

04-02-11, 01:46 PM	#5
gimpy117 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 3,243 Downloads: 108 Uploads: 0	It's probably from airframe age. Too many cycles on it, and poor or nonexistent inspections. There will probably be an investigation because this isn't the first time a 737 has lost a roof panel due to stress on the airframe from pressurization. It happened to Aloha Airlines in 1988. One flight attendant was blown from the aircraft. The FAA found that the aircraft was old, not well taken care of and not well inspected (there were actually visible cracks that were overlooked before the flight). They slapped a Huge Fine on Aloha and the company is currently no more. With the recent incident, it sounds like one of the 737's Safety measures Tripped, a "Controlled Area Breakaway Zone" designed to rupture before the rest of the structure did. Except on the Aloha plane it was so old that when this happened the rest went with it. The Southwest plane was lucky that this didn't happen. __________________ Member of the Subsim Zombie Army

04-02-11, 04:20 PM	#6
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Hmmmmm..... convertible model..... interesting..... But I remember when that happened. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

04-02-11, 05:05 PM	#7
Growler A long way from the sea Join Date: May 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,913 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Rumor I've heard is that, aside from the inevitable grounding of their -300s for inspection, that SWA has been intending to phase out their operations of the -300's as the -800s come online. Also, considering SWA's safety history against that of other airlines, and the quality of service I've had from them, I wouldn't hesitate any measurable amount of time to fly aboard their aircraft. I expect that there will be lawsuits for emotional distress and lots of morning talk show circuit tours for many of the passengers, though. __________________ At Fiddler’s Green, where seamen true When here they’ve done their duty The bowl of grog shall still renew And pledge to love and beauty.