Qantas Airbus A330 Incident Qantas Airbus A330 Incident Flight 72, Singapore to Perth Flight 72, Singapore to Perth

07 Oct 200807 Oct 2008

OROR

Why you should Why you should alwaysalways wear your seat wear your seat belt on an aircraftbelt on an aircraft

ATSB InvestigationATSB Investigation

Cruising at 37,000 ft, one of three air data inertial reference Cruising at 37,000 ft, one of three air data inertial reference units (ADIRUs) started generating incorrect flight data units (ADIRUs) started generating incorrect flight data

Two minutes later, in response to this data, the aircraft Two minutes later, in response to this data, the aircraft computers commanded the aircraft to pitch down. computers commanded the aircraft to pitch down.

The aircraft pitched nose-down 8.4 degrees and descended 650 The aircraft pitched nose-down 8.4 degrees and descended 650 ft, followed by a second pitching event 2 minutes later at 3.5 ft, followed by a second pitching event 2 minutes later at 3.5 degrees nose-down, descending 400 ft.degrees nose-down, descending 400 ft.

At least 110 of the 303 passengers and 9 of the 12 crew At least 110 of the 303 passengers and 9 of the 12 crew members were injured; 12 occupants were seriously injured, members were injured; 12 occupants were seriously injured, another 39 received hospital medical treatment. another 39 received hospital medical treatment.

Most of the injuries involved passengers who were seated Most of the injuries involved passengers who were seated without their seatbelts fastened or were standing.without their seatbelts fastened or were standing.

Weatherford employee accountWeatherford employee account

It was a terrifying experience, followed by an 8-It was a terrifying experience, followed by an 8-hour wait at a remote airfield.hour wait at a remote airfield.

After the first nose-dive, the captain came on the After the first nose-dive, the captain came on the

PA and said it was “difficulty with the aircraft PA and said it was “difficulty with the aircraft control systems.” It then dived again, which control systems.” It then dived again, which made for a terrifying 40 minutes before landing, made for a terrifying 40 minutes before landing, wondering if the plane could be landed safely.wondering if the plane could be landed safely.

This is where we landedThis is where we landed

Blurry, but note the ceiling panels broken and dislodged as Blurry, but note the ceiling panels broken and dislodged as unbelted passengers slammed into the ceiling. Also note unbelted passengers slammed into the ceiling. Also note

the broken doors on the overhead bins.the broken doors on the overhead bins.

This gives you an idea of the force with which people were This gives you an idea of the force with which people were thrown about.thrown about.

Blood on the toilet door. Broken galley doors.Blood on the toilet door. Broken galley doors.

What is this?What is this?

This was a few rows behind me. A flight attendant’s head This was a few rows behind me. A flight attendant’s head and shoulders punched through the ceiling. They carried and shoulders punched through the ceiling. They carried

him out on a back board in a neck brace.him out on a back board in a neck brace.

Note the bent aluminum rail along Note the bent aluminum rail along the galley counter top.the galley counter top.

Wear your seat belt at Wear your seat belt at every possible moment!every possible moment!