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Family caught up in plane plunge drama
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| FLIGHT TERROR: Jemma, Nicole and Suzanne |
A MUM today told of her terror as a flight carrying her family suddenly plummeted towards the ground.
Sally Robertson, from Weymouth, was on board a Ryanair flight from Bristol to Girona in Spain that was forced into an emergency landing after a sudden loss of cabin pressure.
She was heading off on holiday with her children Jemma Geyser, 14, Nicole, 12, and Suzanne, 10, as well as her father James Topp.
Oxygen masks had to be deployed after what the airline called a de-pressurisation incident' but failed to work, according to some passengers.
The aircraft made a rapid descent to 8,000 feet before making an unscheduled stop at Limoges in France.
Of the 168 passengers on board, 16 were taken to hospital with earache, but many of the passengers boarded a replacement plane on to Girona a few hours later, including Mrs Robertson and her family.
Speaking from her hotel in Calella, Mrs Robertson, 44, said: "My life flashed before my eyes.
"It just happened so quickly.
"There was no announcement or anything and we had no idea what was happening.
"The plane just took a big swoop down and the oxygen masks fell out. I don't think the masks were working properly as there did not seem to be any oxygen coming through.
"I have never been so terrified in all my life. One of my daughters became very distressed and started hyperventilating. It was awful.
"When you have children you have to show it's going to be all right but my face probably gave me away."
Mrs Robertson admitted it was not easy to get back in the air after their ordeal.
She said: "When we landed it was such a relief, the thought of getting back on a plane was quite traumatic.
"Two of my daughters were checked on by medical staff because of their ears.
"They were given the choice to go to hospital but they said they were still OK to travel.
"My girls were very brave all in all considering what we went through."
Mrs Robertson said she was disappointed at the general treatment she and fellow passengers received from the Ryanair crew and ground staff at Limoges.
She said: "Overall the communication was very poor.
"When we arrived in France there wasn't much compassion.
"We were all just dumped in this room and it took two hours before we were offered a cold drink.
"The children were cold and we weren't offered any kind of blankets.
"I had to go and ask for some."
Mrs Robertson added: "It has put me off flying.
"After this holiday I think it's going to be a long time before I pluck up the courage to go on a plane again."
In a statement Ryanair said: "Ryanair will be in contact with all the passengers on board the aircraft to communicate our sincere apologies for any distress or delay the passengers on board may have suffered due to this depressurisation incident.
"Ryanair's engineers have inspected the aircraft overnight and have confirmed that the oxygen masks were working properly.
"The Irish and French Aviation Authorities have been notified of this incident and a full investigation will be undertaken."
The company added that no further information on the cause of the incident would be revealed until after the investigation.
10:26am Wednesday 27th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: opticalil, In da air on 11:50am Wed 27 Aug 08
In order for the passenger oxygen system to operate correctly the mask is pulled to place on mouth as it hangs down, as the mask is pulled an arming pin is released and a chemical reaction takes place to generate a flow of O2 for 12 Minutes. It cannot be turned off. This system can be operated manually if the masks fail to drop automatically as the cabin altitude reaches 14000ft.
In order for the passenger oxygen system to operate correctly the mask is pulled to place on mouth as it hangs down, as the mask is pulled an arming pin is released and a chemical reaction takes place to generate a flow of O2 for 12 Minutes. It cannot be turned off. This system can be operated manually if the masks fail to drop automatically as the cabin altitude reaches 14000ft.
Posted by: GeoffS, Bournemouth on 2:14pm Wed 27 Aug 08
The plane didn't "plunge" or "swoop" IT is not a seagull! It made a controlled descent to allow the crew and passengers to continue to breathe and continue to live. If it had not everyone would be dead, this family should consider themselves fortunate that the professional aircrew were able to work quickly to save everyone - ideally the plane should have had an automated announcement as the crew were too busy to exchange pleasantries, but not all airlines have them yet.
The plane didn't "plunge" or "swoop" IT is not a seagull! It made a controlled descent to allow the crew and passengers to continue to breathe and continue to live. If it had not everyone would be dead, this family should consider themselves fortunate that the professional aircrew were able to work quickly to save everyone - ideally the plane should have had an automated announcement as the crew were too busy to exchange pleasantries, but not all airlines have them yet.
Posted by: Alan Barrington, Swooping and plunging on 3:00pm Wed 27 Aug 08
This kind of sensationalist reporting does no one no good.
1) The plane depressurised. When this happens the pilots main concern is to get the aircraft down to a safe altitude as quickly as possible. This is done using an emergency descent, which may feel a little violent, but is a perfectly controlled, perfectly safe manoeuvre. Time of useful consciousness at 30’000 feet is not very long, would the passengers rather die of hypoxia I wonder?
2) The last thing on a pilots mind at this time is to make an announcement. He is concerned with flying the aeroplane, talking to air traffic control, and navigating. The crew will have oxygen masks on too so using the PA may be a little difficult.
3) If people ever bothered to listen to the pre-flight safety demonstration, they would know that the bags on the oxygen masks won't inflate. No one suffered hypoxia, and hyperventilating and hypoxia don't go in the same sentence which sort of proves it.
So with that in mind well done Ryanair for carrying out a text book emergency descent following depressurisation.
Trust the papers to turn a non event into a sensationalist “plummeting, plunging” event. I’m surprised no schools or puppies were involved!
This kind of sensationalist reporting does no one no good.
1) The plane depressurised. When this happens the pilots main concern is to get the aircraft down to a safe altitude as quickly as possible. This is done using an emergency descent, which may feel a little violent, but is a perfectly controlled, perfectly safe manoeuvre. Time of useful consciousness at 30’000 feet is not very long, would the passengers rather die of hypoxia I wonder?
2) The last thing on a pilots mind at this time is to make an announcement. He is concerned with flying the aeroplane, talking to air traffic control, and navigating. The crew will have oxygen masks on too so using the PA may be a little difficult.
3) If people ever bothered to listen to the pre-flight safety demonstration, they would know that the bags on the oxygen masks won't inflate. No one suffered hypoxia, and hyperventilating and hypoxia don't go in the same sentence which sort of proves it.
So with that in mind well done Ryanair for carrying out a text book emergency descent following depressurisation.
Trust the papers to turn a non event into a sensationalist “plummeting, plunging” event. I’m surprised no schools or puppies were involved!
Posted by: JamesY, Dorchester on 3:24pm Wed 27 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Alan Barrington[/bold] wrote:
This kind of sensationalist reporting does no one no good.
1) The plane depressurised. When this happens the pilots main concern is to get the aircraft down to a safe altitude as quickly as possible. This is done using an emergency descent, which may feel a little violent, but is a perfectly controlled, perfectly safe manoeuvre. Time of useful consciousness at 30000 feet is not very long, would the passengers rather die of hypoxia I wonder?
2) The last thing on a pilots mind at this time is to make an announcement. He is concerned with flying the aeroplane, talking to air traffic control, and navigating. The crew will have oxygen masks on too so using the PA may be a little difficult.
3) If people ever bothered to listen to the pre-flight safety demonstration, they would know that the bags on the oxygen masks won't inflate. No one suffered hypoxia, and hyperventilating and hypoxia don't go in the same sentence which sort of proves it.
So with that in mind well done Ryanair for carrying out a text book emergency descent following depressurisation.
Trust the papers to turn a non event into a sensationalist plummeting, plunging event. Im surprised no schools or puppies were involved!
[/quote] very good response and answered my only questions about the bags.
It wasnt that long ago that a planewent down in greece because of this issue - good to bear the alternative in mind.
Alan Barrington wrote:
This kind of sensationalist reporting does no one no good.
1) The plane depressurised. When this happens the pilots main concern is to get the aircraft down to a safe altitude as quickly as possible. This is done using an emergency descent, which may feel a little violent, but is a perfectly controlled, perfectly safe manoeuvre. Time of useful consciousness at 30000 feet is not very long, would the passengers rather die of hypoxia I wonder?
2) The last thing on a pilots mind at this time is to make an announcement. He is concerned with flying the aeroplane, talking to air traffic control, and navigating. The crew will have oxygen masks on too so using the PA may be a little difficult.
3) If people ever bothered to listen to the pre-flight safety demonstration, they would know that the bags on the oxygen masks won't inflate. No one suffered hypoxia, and hyperventilating and hypoxia don't go in the same sentence which sort of proves it.
So with that in mind well done Ryanair for carrying out a text book emergency descent following depressurisation.
Trust the papers to turn a non event into a sensationalist plummeting, plunging event. Im surprised no schools or puppies were involved!
very good response and answered my only questions about the bags.
It wasnt that long ago that a planewent down in greece because of this issue - good to bear the alternative in mind.
Posted by: opticalil, In da air on 4:53pm Wed 27 Aug 08
[quote][bold]JamesY[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Alan Barrington[/bold] wrote: This kind of sensationalist reporting does no one no good. 1) The plane depressurised. When this happens the pilots main concern is to get the aircraft down to a safe altitude as quickly as possible. This is done using an emergency descent, which may feel a little violent, but is a perfectly controlled, perfectly safe manoeuvre. Time of useful consciousness at 30000 feet is not very long, would the passengers rather die of hypoxia I wonder? 2) The last thing on a pilots mind at this time is to make an announcement. He is concerned with flying the aeroplane, talking to air traffic control, and navigating. The crew will have oxygen masks on too so using the PA may be a little difficult. 3) If people ever bothered to listen to the pre-flight safety demonstration, they would know that the bags on the oxygen masks won't inflate. No one suffered hypoxia, and hyperventilating and hypoxia don't go in the same sentence which sort of proves it. So with that in mind well done Ryanair for carrying out a text book emergency descent following depressurisation. Trust the papers to turn a non event into a sensationalist plummeting, plunging event. Im surprised no schools or puppies were involved! [/quote] very good response and answered my only questions about the bags. It wasnt that long ago that a planewent down in greece because of this issue - good to bear the alternative in mind.[/quote] The incident in Greece was allegedly the result of incorrect non-normal procedure and the crew failing to interpret the audio warning that was being generated. The cabin was depressurising and the flight crew thought they had a take off configuration warning.
JamesY wrote:
Alan Barrington wrote: This kind of sensationalist reporting does no one no good. 1) The plane depressurised. When this happens the pilots main concern is to get the aircraft down to a safe altitude as quickly as possible. This is done using an emergency descent, which may feel a little violent, but is a perfectly controlled, perfectly safe manoeuvre. Time of useful consciousness at 30000 feet is not very long, would the passengers rather die of hypoxia I wonder? 2) The last thing on a pilots mind at this time is to make an announcement. He is concerned with flying the aeroplane, talking to air traffic control, and navigating. The crew will have oxygen masks on too so using the PA may be a little difficult. 3) If people ever bothered to listen to the pre-flight safety demonstration, they would know that the bags on the oxygen masks won't inflate. No one suffered hypoxia, and hyperventilating and hypoxia don't go in the same sentence which sort of proves it. So with that in mind well done Ryanair for carrying out a text book emergency descent following depressurisation. Trust the papers to turn a non event into a sensationalist plummeting, plunging event. Im surprised no schools or puppies were involved!
very good response and answered my only questions about the bags. It wasnt that long ago that a planewent down in greece because of this issue - good to bear the alternative in mind.
The incident in Greece was allegedly the result of incorrect non-normal procedure and the crew failing to interpret the audio warning that was being generated. The cabin was depressurising and the flight crew thought they had a take off configuration warning.
Posted by: DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire on 9:06pm Wed 27 Aug 08
Just a few quotes from Mrs Robertsson...
" Speaking from her hotel in Calella, Mrs Robertson, 44, said: "My life flashed before my eyes.
"It just happened so quickly.
"There was no announcement or anything and we had no idea what was happening.
"The plane just took a big swoop down and the oxygen masks fell out. I don't think the masks were working properly as there did not seem to be any oxygen coming through.
"I have never been so terrified in all my life. One of my daughters became very distressed and started hyperventilating. It was awful.
"When you have children you have to show it's going to be all right but my face probably gave me away."
Mrs Robertson admitted it was not easy to get back in the air after their ordeal.
She said: "When we landed it was such a relief, the thought of getting back on a plane was quite traumatic.
"Two of my daughters were checked on by medical staff because of their ears.
"They were given the choice to go to hospital but they said they were still OK to travel.
"My girls were very brave all in all considering what we went through."
Mrs Robertson said she was disappointed at the general treatment she and fellow passengers received from the Ryanair crew and ground staff at Limoges.
She said: "Overall the communication was very poor.
"When we arrived in France there wasn't much compassion.
"We were all just dumped in this room and it took two hours before we were offered a cold drink.
"The children were cold and we weren't offered any kind of blankets.
"I had to go and ask for some."
Mrs Robertson added: "It has put me off flying.
"After this holiday I think it's going to be a long time before I pluck up the courage to go on a plane again."
I do hope you are ok Mrs Robinson, these things do hapen, especially on a CHEAP-SKATE FLIGHT
ASK BIGGLES, OR GO TO BOGNOR NEXT TIME ?
Just a few quotes from Mrs Robertsson...
" Speaking from her hotel in Calella, Mrs Robertson, 44, said: "My life flashed before my eyes.
"It just happened so quickly.
"There was no announcement or anything and we had no idea what was happening.
"The plane just took a big swoop down and the oxygen masks fell out. I don't think the masks were working properly as there did not seem to be any oxygen coming through.
"I have never been so terrified in all my life. One of my daughters became very distressed and started hyperventilating. It was awful.
"When you have children you have to show it's going to be all right but my face probably gave me away."
Mrs Robertson admitted it was not easy to get back in the air after their ordeal.
She said: "When we landed it was such a relief, the thought of getting back on a plane was quite traumatic.
"Two of my daughters were checked on by medical staff because of their ears.
"They were given the choice to go to hospital but they said they were still OK to travel.
"My girls were very brave all in all considering what we went through."
Mrs Robertson said she was disappointed at the general treatment she and fellow passengers received from the Ryanair crew and ground staff at Limoges.
She said: "Overall the communication was very poor.
"When we arrived in France there wasn't much compassion.
"We were all just dumped in this room and it took two hours before we were offered a cold drink.
"The children were cold and we weren't offered any kind of blankets.
"I had to go and ask for some."
Mrs Robertson added: "It has put me off flying.
"After this holiday I think it's going to be a long time before I pluck up the courage to go on a plane again."
I do hope you are ok Mrs Robinson, these things do hapen, especially on a CHEAP-SKATE FLIGHT
ASK BIGGLES, OR GO TO BOGNOR NEXT TIME ?
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