Alps air crash

[Dick Moby]

Sky Marshall's are a thought but as you say nothing is 100% foolproof. Who's to say that a marshal has a death wish and lets rip.

[Essex Lad]

max_tranmere wrote:

I think a number-panel where you punch in a
> code or a fingerprint recognition thing, as I said earlier,
> would be a good thing so crew members can get back in.
>
Already happens.

Cabin crew can use a code and gain access to the flight deck. Entry is controlled by the flight crew, in case of a possible hijack attempt.

The Cockpit Door Locking System (CDLS) according to the flight manual 'provides a means of electrically locking and unlocking the cockpit door'.

The CDLS is located in the central pedestal between both pilots and has a toggle switch which controls the door.

They also have a CCTV camera so they can see who is seeking access, and if they are under any form of duress.

Pilots can restrict access to the flight deck although cabin crew can gain entry in an emergency. However, this emergency access can be over-ridden by the pilot for between five to 20 minutes.

The limited time to keep the door closed is itself a safety feature, in case the flight crew become incapacitated - known in the industry as 'incap'.

After the predeterminted time, the keypad on the outside of the cockpit door will become operational again, unless the pilot actively restricts access again.

Also the cockpit door has several other safety features in case of a sudden decompression which will cause the door to open.

[Dick Moby]

Essex Lad, I presume these doors are built to very close tolerances. I think a couple of small wooden wedges would easily pass through security checks and when jammed under a door would be enough to hold a door shut for the 8 minutes or so it takes to fly into the ground

[number 6]

Dick Moby , now you are starting to talk shit. Keep it sane mate.

[Dick Moby]

For a start you are not my mate and please explain why I am talking shit. I'll completely understand if you can't come up with a sensible reply.

[Peter]

There was an "Air Crash Investigation" on only the other night about a similar 'dive into the ground' crash (the one where the russian pilot let his 15 year old son take the controls) And once the plane was in a dive, the g-forces kept the pilot away from the controls, as he was in the cockpit but standing.

So i'd assume someone outside the door wouldn't be able to stand there fiddling for the whole dive, he'd be dragged away by the g-forces after minute or so, so you wouldn't need to lock the door for long.

I read today more people have been killed by pilot suicide since cockpit locks were introduced than by the terrorist action they were installed to prevent.

No easy answer though.

[Dick Moby]

No 6 which when I was younger No 6 was a FAG so I'm glad you have cleared up your sexuality. You seem to have limited technical knowledge well let's be honest just limited knowledge. A wedge is something which is thin at one end and tapers up to a thick end (I'm sure the word thick has been mentioned to you many times). A wedge shoved under a door and given that a pilot would have no access to any sort of tools the door is SHUT. Don't know the design of the door but the wedge only needs to hold for less than 10 minutes.

[Sam Slater]

On this occasion I think the descent was pretty gradual. The passengers didn't notice until the last few seconds. G-force wouldn't have been as strong as all that.

[andy at handiwork]

Airlines are apparently introducing a rule that there must always be 2 crew members in the cockpit. So if pilot goes to the toilet perhaps the chief steward has to sit up front during. A loo in the cockpit isnt practical for space reasons. Perhaps the business class toilet could be fenced off. That'll be popular - not.

[Dick Moby]

I believe this rule is already in force with some airlines. Given the pressure on staff nowadays if a pilot had to leave the cockpit during meal time I expect staff would take preference and continue to serve food. Your customer is where you make your money and an unhappy customer who has to wait all of 5 minutes for a a sandwich might not fly again with the airline again.Safety is safety but people turn a blind eye at times.