http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/06/opinion/abend-jamaica-crash/
Yesterday, September 7, a New York couple's plane crashed off the coast of Jamaica and is currently unrecovered. There has been many theories as to how the plane crashed, but so far the most excepted is the possibility of a gradual loss in cabin pressure. The captain, requesting for a lower descent from about a level 250 to 180, was urgent on the matter, yet was relatively calm about it. Air traffic control was having difficulties fulfilling that request for unknown reasons, stating "I'm working on it..." Soon, radio contact was ceased and the captain was unreachable. Many believe his calmness about such a drastic situation may have been due to the high altitude of the plane and its effects, hypoxia; a gradual condition where there is a lack of oxygen and decision making is unclear. The pilot would have eventually lost consciousness over several hours and may not have been aware of the increase in altitude and extreme loss of cabin pressure later on. Originally, the flight's destination was Florida, but crashed after several hours off the coast of Jamaica.
This, to me, was definitely a nerve-racking story. I think the most important factor in this situation is how the loss of pressure came even to begin with? And why was air traffic control having difficulties with altitude? It seems that they should find the problem and fix it, or at least stress on this certain situation during training for future issues. Thankfully, the plane did not crash in a populated area, which would only cause further damage.
This unsettling event is very depressing. I cannot imagine the pain that family members had to go through. Even though a sad event, the airplane companies should take better precautions so people will not have to suffer.
ReplyDeleteThat's the terrifying thing when people use their private planes or boats to travel; there is an opportunity that something could go wrong and you're helpless compared to commercial planes or boats.
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