Plane nearly flips over after co-pilot error

29 Sep 2011, 1:15 pm   -   Source: AFP
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The aircraft tipped more than 130 degrees to the left at one point, but the darkness outside meant many of those on board did not realise the craft had almost flipped over. (AAP)

The aircraft tipped more than 130 degrees to the left at one point, but the darkness outside meant many of those on board did not realise the craft had almost flipped over. (AAP)

A Japanese plane narrowly avoided disaster earlier this month when it plunged over the Pacific, almost turning upside down, the transport ministry said.

A Japanese plane narrowly avoided disaster earlier this month when it plunged over the Pacific, almost turning upside down, the transport ministry said on Wednesday.
  
The All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight, with 117 passengers and crew on board, dived 1,900 metres in 30 seconds in the incident off the southern Shizuoka district on September 6.
  
The manoeuvre happened when the co-pilot, in trying to unlock the cockpit door for the captain who was returning from the toilet, mistook a command button for the cockpit door lock switch nearby.
  
The plane, which took off from Naha on Okinawa island in the south, later managed to touch down at Tokyo's Haneda airport safely.
  
Two crew members were slightly injured, while four passengers reported health problems following the incident.
  
Images from the flight recorder on the Boeing 737-700 showed the plane veered to the right and then sharply to the left, before dropping backwards.
  
The aircraft tipped more than 130 degrees to the left at one point, but the darkness outside meant many of those on board did not realise the craft had almost flipped over.
  
"The images are incredible. The plane found itself in an almost unimaginable position," a pilot told the NHK television channel after the footage was made public.
  
A senior ANA official apologised to travellers at a press conference on Wednesday.
  
"We are deeply sorry for causing anxiety to our passengers," he said.
  
The incident occurred at about 10:50 pm (1350 GMT) while the craft was making its way across the Pacific.
  
Japan's transport safety board has launched an inquiry.
 

Japan Plane

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Your Comments

wrong picture

A - from Tokyo, 2 years ago

Why would you run this story with a picture of the brand new 787, which has only just been delivered and is not in general service yet? Please, think before you publish.

Not a case of pressing a button...

BoeingBob - from UK, 2 years ago

The switch to open the door has to be pushed down and rotated then held in position until the door is opened. On the same console, a few inches away, is a similar shaped switch which is used to manipulate some of the flight controls. If it's held to the left or right for long enough then yes, the plane could flip, however you'd hope that the pilot would notice what's happening before it gets to that stage.

bad design

rob - from geelong, 2 years ago

Sounds like a case of bad design. RELOCATE THAT BUTTON. I'm a bit worried though that a plane can do a near back flip just by someone pushing a button. What happens in turbulence and the coffee cup hits it instead.. Does that result in a successful complete double back flip.

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