7 slightly injured after Qantas plane plummets due to turbulence

Monday 22nd June, 01:25 PM JST

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Beerplease at 06:03 PM JST - 22nd June

The wing spoilers failed, the rudder limiter became inoperative and the rudder may have locked into place. At this point, it is likely that the plastic stabilizer was ripped from the plane. [64] (messages sent from plane on rudder problem, Telegraph, June 14, 2009.)

There is little or no likelihood that we will ever know whether the tail fin was blown off by the storm, as a result of the pilot’s attempt to control the plane, or by uncontrolled movements of the rudder.

I guess you read this differently. And:

Although aluminum vertical stabilizers may be heavier and accordingly provide less fuel economy, the fact is that there is no history of metal tail fins being torn from fuselages in commercial passenger aircraft in the past half century.

I'm going to start avoiding Airbus.
pawatan at 06:18 PM JST - 22nd June

I'm going to start avoiding Airbus.

Feel free, but know that the new Boeing 787 uses more composites than any Airbus. Many Boeing aircaft have been downed by metal fatigue (just browse through Wikipedia for a few examples).

There is little or no likelihood that we will ever know whether the tail fin was blown off by the storm

There is little or no likelihood we will ever know if the tail fin even separated until they find more of the plane. I read alot of "may" "likely" and "perhaps" - all of which is conjecture. All these experts are trying to glean the cause solely from the automated messages sent by the aircraft. I don't know bout you but I prefer a whole lot more evidence than that before I think of a well-established, certified, and proven safe aircraft as fundamentally flawed.

Moderator: Readers, please stay on topic. Please focus your comments on the Qantas incident.
Beerplease at 06:45 PM JST - 22nd June

Feel free to draw your own conclusions. I do know about the new Boeing 787 and I would hope the composites aren't used in the critical area mentioned in the article.
Bento at 06:47 PM JST - 22nd June

pawatan..i see you must be new here..substantial evidence has never been prerequired by posters here before they pronounce their verdicts.
Beerplease at 06:56 PM JST - 22nd June

Nor make pronouncements about things they haven't read.
Beerplease at 06:59 PM JST - 22nd June

I read a lot of "may" "likely" and "perhaps"

Now you do.
WA4TKG at 07:58 PM JST - 22nd June

"Plummet" ???!!; You call 30M a PLUMMET ? I was on a C-130 once, when the Captain came on the speaker and said: "We're about to hit some rough weather, PUT YOUR SEATBELT ON". I had BARELY sat back from clamping on the "Hooks", when the plane started dropping like a ROCK...he came BACK on, at the BOTTOM of the drop, and said: "In case you were WONDERING, we just went from an altitude of 19,000 feet, to 12,000". "Plummet"; yeah, RIGHT.
Beerplease at 08:03 PM JST - 22nd June

Does the C-130 use composites?
cow76 at 09:00 PM JST - 22nd June

Beerplease, nobody really cares that much. Airbuses have some accidents and Boeings have some too. I guess you've just chosen a side and will defend it to the death.

I think it's about time drinks came with a straw sticking through a hole like at McDonalds. Frigging turbulence strikes and then your groin smells of coffee for the next 16 hours. Not much fun.
TokyoGas at 09:00 PM JST - 22nd June

Always use the seat belt! Even when I am in the toilet, I hang on to that bar... Ever since I read about someone who broke their neck on a flight, I have been very diligent about buckling up.
Beerplease at 09:41 PM JST - 22nd June

Beerplease, nobody really cares that much. Airbuses have some accidents and Boeings have some too. I guess you've just chosen a side and will defend it to the death.

Actually, I just read the article today and hadn't really given much thought to either maker until now (only that toilets on AB seem to have more problems). It seems some, though, had already taken the AB side.

Hopefully, the side I choose will help me live longer. ;)
neverknow2 at 09:51 PM JST - 22nd June

7 slightly injured

How is this even news?
Informed at 10:21 PM JST - 22nd June

How is this even news?

Do you base newsworthiness on how much damage is inflicted on humans? I think the important "news" is that you may want to keep your seatbelt on.

>
DentShop at 12:07 AM JST - 23rd June

People are getting cocky on flights these days. They use their phones, dont buckle up, try to smoke in the toilets and stick their noses up at safety demonstrations. I can tell the kind of person they are by the way they treat flight attendants. When these kind of people get their bones trashed in turbulence, I hope they tell others to buckle up!
LIBERTAS at 12:54 AM JST - 23rd June

"Keep your seat belt loosely fastened at all times" is good advice.