Airlines

After man opens plane door mid-flight, flyers ask: How can that happen?

After a passenger opened the emergency exit door during the approach, the Asiana Airlines A321 touched down without incident at Daegu Airport in South Korea. Nine people were sent to the hospital due to breathing problems.

A guy who reportedly opened an emergency exit door while the aircraft was still in the air and prepared to land. could face 10 years in prison. On Friday, fliers about the incident asked: How could that happen?

What is the impact of air pressure on airplanes?(Opens in a new browser tab)

Opening an aircraft door is impossible while the plane is at cruising altitude or above 10,000 feet due to air pressure. Modern commercial aircraft are designed and built with airtight cabin pressurization systems. These systems ensure that the cabin remains pressurized at a level that allows passengers and crew to breathe comfortably. The difference in air pressure between the cabin and the outside environment creates a force that effectively seals the doors shut.

However, as the plane descends, experts think it is conceivable for a door to open when the pressure inside and outside the plane equalizes. The pressure within the cabin is high enough at cruising altitude to push the door of the aircraft up against the hull, but as the aircraft descends, the pressure starts to equalise. It is feasible for that door to be opened while the aircraft is still in flight at very low altitudes.

Can you open an aircraft door mid flight?(Opens in a new browser tab)

Everyone should to have been wearing seatbelts considering that this incident occurred at a very low altitude right before touchdown. However, the guy who opened the door was undoubtedly at risk of falling out of the aircraft.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.