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Arlene's Air Travel Blog

By Arlene Fleming, About.com Guide to Air Travel since 2002

Qantas Blowout

Tuesday July 29, 2008
qantas 747A few days ago, a Qantas 747 enroute to Melbourne had a blowout in the air. A hole, about 10ft high busted through the fuselage in the cargo hold area. What resulted - miraculously - was not a single fatality, but a rapid deceleration in air pressure, and an emergency landing in Manila.

Qantas is investigating the cause. Early worries had rumors of terrorism abounding, but it seems that it may have been linked to an oxygen supply on board. Rumors too, exist that perhaps the aircraft had had issues with corrosion before it was recently refurbished. Time will tell on separating rumor and reality.

The hole and the emergency landing as reported by UPI.
Qantas Safety Record looks at the recent safety record for the Australian flagship carrier, which although they haven't had fatalities, have involved a few scares.
Profile of Qantas

Comments

August 8, 2008 at 3:51 am
(1) Annette says:

The “only” airline we would fly with.
It was not terrorism but as reported an oxygen supply.
This little hickcup is nothing to worry about.

Proud it is my countries national carrier.

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