Qantas plane plunges over 20,000 feet during Melbourne-bound flight

Ryan N · #1 25th January 2011, 10:23 AM

Qantas plane plunges over 20,000 feet during Melbourne-bound flight
By Wes Hosking
From: Herald Sun
January 25, 2011 11:12AM

Quote:

A MELBOURNE-bound Qantas flight reportedly plunged 20,000 feet during a mid-air drama this morning.

Worried passengers were reportedly told to put on oxygen masks during the incident aboard this morning's flight.

A passenger, who declined to be named, said the scare occurred shortly after flight QF670 left Adelaide about 6.10am.

He said the captain announced the precaution was being taken because the plane's air conditioning system had failed.

"All of the oxygen masks dropped down,'' the passenger said.

"The captain came across and said 'This is an emergency'.''

The plane reportedly descended from over 30,000 to about 10,000 feet.

Passengers were forced to keep masks on for about five minutes, the passenger said.

"Everyone had to breathe into them until the plane dropped,'' he said.

"Most people were pretty worried because you do not know what is going on really.

"It's not pleasant that is for sure.''

The flight arrived in Melbourne safely just before 8am (AEDT).

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news...#ixzz1C0BQN2L9

Cam L · #2 25th January 2011, 11:06 AM

Jeepers that is scary!!!

Any details on what aircraft was involved. Probably a 737-800 or -400.

Hate to be on that plane...............

Torin Wilson · #3 25th January 2011, 11:13 AM

This sounds more like a decompression issue - masks on and a sudden descent to 10K ft, and being told about air con issue...

Still, no thanks to that experience!

Jack B · #4 25th January 2011, 11:15 AM

Oh, god - "Plunged"?

Emergency descent.

Steve S... 2 · #5 25th January 2011, 11:22 AM

It was one of those p.o.s. 737-400's.

Trevor Sinclair · #6 25th January 2011, 11:38 AM

I got this from a Radio colleague in MEL, they may have been deployed but nobody appears to be wearing the masks...

Mark B · #7 25th January 2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor Sinclair

I got this from a Radio colleague in MEL, they may have been deployed but nobody appears to be wearing the masks...

Maybe they'd taken them off after getting down to 10000ft?

Rob R · #8 25th January 2011, 11:48 AM

SOP for most companies is once at 10000' Capt would make a PA advising masks no longer required, so I would guess the pic was taken once they were at 10000 or below.

Oliver Gigacz · #9 25th January 2011, 12:16 PM

The aircraft involved was VH-TJH (Boeing 737-476), delivered to Australian Airlines in October 1990.

Ryan K · #10 25th January 2011, 12:20 PM

I can't beleive Qantas are still flying aircraft nearly 21 years of age....