In a bizarre incident, a plane leaving London Stansted Airport managed to take off despite having two windows missing, as a result of damage sustained during a filming event.
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- What happened?
- Why it happened?
- How could the missing windows be detected in time?
What happened?
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An investigation into the Airbus A321, a plane that previously carried passengers including King Charles and Rishi Sunak, revealed the cause of the missing windows.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) reported that the aircraft returned to the airport after a crew member noticed the significant problem shortly after takeoff.
Following the plane’s return to Stansted, AAIB inspection discovered that two window panes were missing and two others were not properly fitted. In the absence of window glass, the only barrier between the aircraft cabin and the outside environment was the thin plastic screen designed to prevent direct contact with the plane’s actual window panes.
Why it happened?
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The incident occurred a day after the plane was used for filming, where powerful lights were placed around it to create the illusion of a sunrise.
Upon inspection, it was discovered that the foam around the damaged windows had melted or was missing, and the glass panels themselves were warped and shrunken.
According to the AAIB, safety regulations require that lights be placed no closer than 10 meters from the aircraft.
However, they were found to be located between six and nine meters from the windows. The lights remained directed at one side of the plane for five and a half hours and were set up on the other side for four hours.
How could the missing windows be detected in time?
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The plane, operated by Titan Airways, was carrying 11 crew members and nine passengers when the missing windows were detected. A crew member noticed a problem with the seal around one of the windows shortly after takeoff and reported it. Despite having reached an altitude of almost 15,000 feet, the decision was made to return to the airport.
Fortunately, the AAIB’s subsequent investigation revealed that “the cabin had remained normally pressurized”, ensuring the safety of those on board.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn