Qantas Depressurisation
 

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...45-661,00.html

Seems as though it was HKG-MEL... diverted to MNL

Thanks for the link Michael. Here is another news report:
http://www.bigpond.com/news/topstori...25/2314706.asp

Apparently there is a 'gigantic gaping hole' in the aircraft according to one passenger...

Will be interesting to see what the fault was. It reads like it was a emergency exit door?

Airliners.net has a rumour of a 1x1 meter hole in the fuselage. Window maybe?

Good to hear that everyone is okay

I assume a 744

"Gaping hole from the wing to the underbody'"
Not sounding good...

VH-OJK is the offending a/c..

Looks like it's far more than just a door seal.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...section=justin

That sounds to me like a much more serious rupture than might have been assumed at first reports.

Here is the register extract for VH-OJK - it's no spring chicken:

QANTAS FLIGHT DIVERTS TO MANILA

SYDNEY, 25 July: Qantas has confirmed that a B747-400 aircraft operating QF30 from Hong Kong to Melbourne diverted to Manila today following a loss of cabin pressure.
The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said all 346 passengers and 19 crew disembarked normally and there were no reports of any injuries to passengers or crew.
The flight, which originated in London, landed in Manila at approximately 11.15am local time.
Mr Dixon said the flight crew had performed emergency procedures after oxygen masks were deployed.
He said initial inspections revealed the aircraft had sustained a hole in its fuselage, and it was currently being inspected by engineers.
“The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have been notified of the incident and Qantas is sending its own engineers to Manila.
“Qantas has provided all passengers with accommodation and a replacement aircraft has been arranged.”

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication at 3.50pm (Q3792)

Brings back memories of a United Airlines flight 811 that had a cargo door open in flight due to a poor door locking mechanism design. That door on memory opened due to an electrical short, sending several passengers to their deaths.

This sounds like a major incident and lucky that everyone is in one piece.

sounding more serious as more details become public. Definately not a "simple" decompression, going by what a witness had to say on channel 9 afternoon news, there is a gaping hole in the side of the plane.

just had a look at 7 news and it looks like where the front part of the wing joins the main body of the aircraft has come away

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...001021,00.html

Pic above...

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...adfaa24bb7.jpg

Pinched off BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7524733.stm

-OJK was the one that was grounded with corrosion issues which delayed it's re-entry into service after it's P/E+ fit-out.

[delete] please mod

OK then, would seem the passengers reports (read here: media) have this one right. That is one reasonably large hole.

Here's more...

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...492712146.html

you guys should probably provide links to the info your posting...most of it is coming from other sites, be most helpful for those who also want to read up on what's going on.

If I'm not mistaken this is part of the T&C's...

I can't say too much but that is the location of the 744's oxygen bottles.

Looking at pics of 744s I've taken before, I can't see a door (to be "blown off") at that location, just the wing root fairing and a NACA-style inlet duct.

http://i346.photobucket.com/albums/p...L08_AMcL_c.jpg

Would the crew/pax have been able to use oxygen if it had been an oxygen explosion?

Reports seem to say they had oxygen during the descent...?

CH 10 in Melbourne have just stated that it was the same plane as the Pope flew on earlier this week. :rolleyes:
Talk about sensationalist journalism!

What, are they saying they have a suspect?:rolleyes:

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...200804689.aspx

be the best source for info as it comes to hand.

Can't be the one the Pope flew back on. It was registered VH-OEE from what I believe. This one is VH-OJK, :rolleyes:.

Chris

Higher resolution photo:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/...x305_popup.jpg

Interesting that the Qantas timetable currently shows:

I think it'll be there for more than an hour. :(

sending a new a/c for the passengers.

I had a laugh at the comment made by one of the passengers

"The hole was on the Driver's side"

:D

in reality it was...lol, just the 2nd drivers side! :p

I love the quote on ch10 News just.

'The engineers union confirms the aircraft has always been serviced in Australia'.......

So never a trip to HAECO, SIAECO or an A check at LAX or with BA at LHR in it's 17 year life!!

Howdy Mont

QF6005 MEL-SYD 1945/2115 turning around as QF29 to ops MEL-MNL-HKG-LHR.

Rgds

Luke/PER

Wouldn't the pax in MNL want to continue on to MEL, where they had been headed?

Source: QF Media Release

ATSB Media Release
 

The ATSB has issued this Media Release:

In Hong Kong Due out on the QF128 tonight. Just had a phone call from Qantas Reservations – flight has been cancelled. At First they told me mechanical reason, but then when I ask if the aircraft was going to be use to ferry the passengers from Manila, I was told that is the actual reason. Why cant they just say the truth up front. According to Reservations, a group of engenerrs are being sent up from Melbourne tonight (I assume QF to HKG then CX to MNL).
Anyhow – I have been advised I am on a 8.10pm flight Saturday night (Im travelling to Singapore on Monday night so nothing like going home for 1 night). Passengers have been told to check in this evening as per normal, Boarding Passes issues. I hope I can at least keep my suitcase for the night…..

As I hear more I will post an update

Neil

You're kidding right? :eek: As if they're going to say "we're pulling your flight because one of our jets shat itself near Manila and we have to get those pax home first"...:rolleyes:

"Mechanical reasons" is not exactly untrue...it's just it's not your aircraft which had the mechanical problem...;)

UPDATE ON QF30

SYDNEY, 25 July: Qantas has arranged for a replacement aircraft to fly to Manila tonight to collect the passengers from QF30, which was diverted earlier today en route from Hong Kong to Melbourne.
The replacement Qantas B747 aircraft is scheduled to depart Manila shortly after 11pm local time and is due to arrive in Melbourne on Saturday morning.
The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said the airline was sending an investigation team including Qantas engineering personnel to Manila tonight to carry out an investigation.
Mr Dixon praised the pilots and cabin crew for the way they handled the incident. “This was a highly unusual situation and our crew responded with the professionalism that Qantas is known for,” he said.

NOTE: Reports that the aircraft is the same one that recently transported His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI from Sydney are incorrect. (This means YOU Sydney Message Board! :D)

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication at 7.10pm (Q3793)

well it was due to a 'mechanical reason' - with OJK ;)