Did a Plane Door Open on an Airbus Flying from Bangkok

By Staff Reporter

fact or fiction... you decide

BANGKOK: -- Air Emirates is in the news this week as reports of an exit door opening during a flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong hit the newspapers around the world, However many are questioning the validity of the reports.

newsjs

According to travelers, the exit door in the business class section opened up slightly during the flight, scaring both travelers and flight staff and causing an inrush of freezing air, along with a howling sound which continued until the plane landed safely at Hong Kong’s airport.

The A380 Airbus was, according to the company, never in any danger, but passengers have told the newpapers that because of the doors insecurity, staff were quick to stuff the gap with blankets to block the noise and cold.

Described in the media as a nerve wracking experience for all concerned, passengers are said to have remained petrified during the flight and curtains were drawn to prevent a panic among economy passengers who were unaware of any incident.

Photographs shown in international newspapers are said to show a green warning light which is confusing as a green light indicates LOCKED not UNLOCKED state, according to other sources, but the newspaper is claiming that Green means “open”.

Full story: http://www.pattaya10...ngkok-door-ope/

--Pattaya 103 FM 2013-02-16

fact or fiction... you decide

No thanks. I'll wait for some hard facts first.

Ta, muchly.

Anybody reporting a compensation offer from the airline?

As I was told to get rid of my cigar and I couldn't open the windows, what else could I do

Edited February 16, 201313 yr by rubl

Did a Plane Door Open on an Airbus Flying from Bangkok

No

Ummm, the light is operated by a limit switch, they cost about B50 though an aircraft one would run closer to B5000.

When cold air is rushing through the gap making quite a bit of noise, do you need to look at the light to see if the door is shut?

Green is locked.

Door won't physically open due design and pressure differential.

Chances are it was just the door seal damaged or worn. Noisy, cold yes. Dangerous not really....

Air would not run into an airplane at high altitude, all air would get sucked out resulting in decompression.

Impossible for these type of doors to open in flight. Plug type doors are made to use cabin pressure so the are pushed firmly in place.

What sometimes does happen is that the door seal folds outward, and that causes noise. Stuff something in the gap, problem solved for that flight. On the ground readjust door settings, or maybe replace seal.

No big deal.

.

Edited February 16, 201313 yr by Carib

Air would not run into an airplane at high altitude, all air would get sucked out resulting in decompression.

You are 100% correct.

" ...causing an inrush of freezing air, along with a howling sound......."

Should I believe the witnesses or the internet experts?

In a report in the Daily Mail. A passenger describes a stewardess as panicking, the aircraft cruising at 27,000'. A door failure would have lead to the masks being deployed plus a rapid decent to 10,000'. I doubt an A380 would be at such a low level for cruise altitude.

If true, it's a brave cabin attednant who would stand at the door and stuff blankets into the gap.

" ...causing an inrush of freezing air, along with a howling sound......."

Should I believe the witnesses or the internet experts?

The airplane is pressurized, so similar to a balloon, the air would escape quite quickly out of an airplane if a door was opened at high altitude. Google is our friend.

As already said in such a case the air would indeed leak out of the aircraft causing immediate and dangerous decompression, plus oxygen masks dropping down to passengers. The plane would of course been piloted to a lower safer level to limit any further damage to life and limb and no doubt aircraft too, seems as if there were no problems nor actions of this type so as said possibly a ruptured door seal or a psychosomatic experience.

Interesting to note the mention of that esteemed organ of the U.K. fourth estate, ''The Daily Mail'' otherwise known as the ''Daily Wail.'' The editors do have a romantic sense of drama in their makeup which at times does seem to run riot.

An urban legend in the making ?

Edited February 16, 201313 yr by siampolee

Well, it didn't really open. I'm sure if that had happened (assuming it had been possible) we've have a major disaster and at least a few staff and passengers 'missing'

"Emergency Exit door opens in explosion on Emirates Airbus A380"

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/travel/news/emergency-exit-door-opened-in-explosion-on-emirates-airbus-a380/story-fn3015fd-1226579347708

" ...causing an inrush of freezing air, along with a howling sound......."

Should I believe the witnesses or the internet experts?

Mick. i will try and clarify a bit. these aircraft would operate at around say 6 PSI differential, give or take. That is a higher pressure inside, so the cabin altitude is less than 10000 feet. All the worlds superheroes plus popeye would not budge that door when pressurised. Imagine the volume of air in a 380 at that diff. If there was anything preventing the seal doing its job properly there would be an air rush or squeal at worst. Air trying to get out not in. Even at 1 PSID you won't get the door open.

That may change if the aircraft depressurised. Best way to tell that will be all the masks dropping out.

If it was an explosion as stated in the linked article, there would be a mess and likely a hole. An explosive decompression signifies a structural failure. You may recall the Aloha Airlines 737 one in the 1980s. That's one of the reasons they always ask to keep your belt fastened, plus turbulence.

Edited February 16, 201313 yr by Fozfromoz

" ...causing an inrush of freezing air, along with a howling sound......."

Should I believe the witnesses or the internet experts?

The airplane is pressurized, so similar to a balloon, the air would escape quite quickly out of an airplane if a door was opened at high altitude. Google is our friend.

Balloons don't travel at 900km/h. If a leading edge of the door was cracked open, the pressure caused by speed would be greater than the cabin/external differential.

But that's just theory - I'll stick to the observed results (subject to verification that it's not all BS).

Edited February 16, 201313 yr by OzMick

A380 Crew have stated that the green light above is not the door condition indicator but in fact the passenger call chime for the cabin crew to serve another glass of bordeaux..

Journalists....

Edited February 16, 201313 yr by negreanu

The A380 doesn't have a curtain between business and economy ..... business is all upstairs and economy is all downstairs.

" ...causing an inrush of freezing air, along with a howling sound......."

Should I believe the witnesses or the internet experts?

Maybe a few internet experts... How can the air rush in ??? the atmosphere inside the plane is at far higher pressure.. the sound would be from air escaping not from air rushing in.

Ask the expert in post #3, from his login name he seems to be an expert in evading the DRAFT!

" ...causing an inrush of freezing air, along with a howling sound......."

Should I believe the witnesses or the internet experts?

Maybe a few internet experts... How can the air rush in ??? the atmosphere inside the plane is at far higher pressure.. the sound would be from air escaping not from air rushing in.

Are you positive.

Ummm, the light is operated by a limit switch, they cost about B50 though an aircraft one would run closer to B5000.

When cold air is rushing through the gap making quite a bit of noise, do you need to look at the light to see if the door is shut?

Good point.

A little to deep for a nation reporter.

If true, it's a brave cabin attednant who would stand at the door and stuff blankets into the gap.

Nah, she does it every week or so.

Did a Plane Door Open on an Airbus Flying from Bangkok

Were passengers already getting their luggage form the overhead bins? If yes, then I would say the plane door must've barely opened.

Isn't airbus in stiff competition with the B.Boys?

And didnt they just announced NOT to install lithium batteries due the B.boys problems.?

Is this real or a publicity counter offensive from B Boys en co?

remember there is BIG money involved.

The outside pressure means a door opening in mid-flight is impossible.

As I was told to get rid of my cigar and I couldn't open the windows, what else could I do

Use the bloody toilet like the rest of the smokers

Think it is impossible. I understand that the doors are larger than the frame opening which would cause a plug type of action. This is why they have to be opened inwards.