Qantas Blames Passenger Laptop for Airbus Plunge

[Matt Molnar]

This is so incredible to me I think it deserves its own thread...

New Zealand Herald:

Qantas probe laptop link after 300 foot plunge
2:45PM Thursday Oct 09, 2008

Passenger laptop computers are now being investigated as a possible cause of the Qantas mid-air emergency off Western Australia on Tuesday.

The Airbus A330-300, with 303 passengers and a crew of 10, experienced what the airline described as a "sudden change in altitude" north of its destination on Tuesday.

The mid-air incident resulted in injuries to 74 people, with 51 of them treated by three hospitals in Perth for fractures, lacerations and suspected spinal injuries when the flight bound from Singapore to Perth had a dramatic drop in altitude that hurled passengers around the cabin. [Full Article]

If A330s are this sensitive to weak electronic interference they should be grounded.

[MarkLawrence]

That really gives meaning to it's name - Scarebus!!

[mirrodie]

If A330s are this sensitive to weak electronic interference they should be grounded.

Based on what knowledge of avionic and interference?

There has to be a reason the "electronic off" announcement is made pror to each flight. Its not jsut to hear themselves talk. There is some science behind it.

[PHL Approach]

"North of destination"

Doesn't really give much. We're they still in cruise or at least above 10k... Mario, if that's the case your point is moot then since it's a laptop which are allow above Sterile environment. I assume the same is for Intl carriers?

However, I remember reading from numerous 737 pilots that after departure the MCP (Autopilot) is non responsive due to someone on a phone. A few times when they've reached 1000 ft they go to select an AP Channel on the MCP and all three don't work so they have to hand fly it until a FA can find who's on the phone.

[moose135]

The stories I've seen said they were in cruise at 37K feet, certainly legal territory for a laptop. There is some speculation on-line about problems caused on other flights by a wireless mouse or wi-fi turned on.

[PhilDernerJr]

I don't think anyone is questioning the legality of them using the laptop, but the effects of certain devices even at cruise.

I think it's a little early in the investigation for this to be blamed. It seems as though the investigators were just asking the passengers what they were using, and the media is creating a storm over it.

[LGA777]

Sounds like maybe just using a laptop itself isn't the problem, but using a wireless mouse with the laptop is the issue.

LGA777

[mirrodie]

Sounds like maybe just using a laptop itself isn't the problem, but using a wireless mouse with the laptop is the issue.

LGA777

Which further proves my point. There is science behind it.