I hope this is not spun the way I think it will be...

[OptionsTrader]

Pilot's gun fires on US Airways flight
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080325/ap_on_re_us/gun_on_plane

 

[Kotin]

they didnt seem to make a big deal out of it..

 

[Sandra]

I have no doubt that this incident never occurred. Just another fake press release to keep guns out of the cockpit.

 

[pcosmar]

It takes a bit more than a handgun round to bring down an aircraft.

These flew home.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

This flew home, too

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloha_Flight_243

 

[Doktor_Jeep]

Maybe the gun on the plane was being used to protect from snakes on the plane.

 

[pcosmar]

This flew home, too

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloha_Flight_243

Wow, that is both scary and impressive.
I was,however, referring to the (Hollywood inspired) myth that a gun shot on board an airplane will make it explode.
Not likely.

 

[pcosmar]

Maybe the gun on the plane was being used to protect from snakes on the plane.

I was thinking that it might be a particular brand known for negligent discharges,one with a triger safety.

As in " I am the only one professional enough...."

 

[madengr]

It is rumored that a trigger lock was required by TSA......with a round chambered. Brilliant!

 

[ForLiberty-RonPaul]

what about Tasers on a plane. Those things are lethal too.

 

[Dequeant]

Its pretty much impossible to top the pilot who landed an F15 with one wing blown completely off.

 

[TruckinMike]

i know a fellow that flies (for a major airline) and carries. I once thought that The TSA regs were ridiculous with the safety measures they required of the pilot. But now after this bozo lets one off.. I guess those regs weren't so ridiculous -- Why is that guy still flying.

The bad thing is it gives evidence that "we" the private citizen are not capable to own, possess, or use firearms. This case will be used ad infinitim for issues like this.

that Pilot deserves to be shot for doing a disservice to his fellow countryman and passengers.

TMike

 

[acptulsa]

Its pretty much impossible to top the pilot who landed an F15 with one wing blown completely off.

Wow. Did that really happen? Wow! Salute! Wish we had his name!

pcosmar, the aircraft you showed photos of were not pressurized. Didn't see a B-29 in there that I know of. Big difference. Air can escape from a pressurized cabin with explosive force, if the differential is high enough.

Makes a bullethole into a de facto cannon wound. See what I mean?

 

[FindLiberty]

Gunsmoke?

Pilot (Dillon) was "showing off" by spinning the gun on his index finger for one
of the flight attendants (Miss Kitty) when it discharged unexpectedly.

The pilot then asked the flight engineer (Chester) to go fetch the Doc...

 

[pcosmar]

Wow. Did that really happen? Wow! Salute! Wish we had his name!

pcosmar, the aircraft you showed photos of were not pressurized. Didn't see a B-29 in there that I know of. Big difference. Air can escape from a pressurized cabin with explosive force, if the differential is high enough.

Makes a bullethole into a de facto cannon wound. See what I mean?

No, you are thinking that what you see from Hollywood is real.
Explosive decompression CAN happen but is very rare, and the only cases I can find (like the one sited earlier) are caused by a catastrophic Structural Failure..
I have not been able to find ONE instance of a bullet causing or contributing.
I have found that Mythbusters did some experiments, They were unable to cause the explosive decompression until they used actual explosives. A billet would NOT blow the window out. Just a hole and a pressure LEAK.

Just as every car wreck in Hollywood explodes in a ball of fire, this Myth is false.

I will also add that Air Marshals generally carry Frangible Ammo designed for minimum penetration.
As to just what kind of mishandling, I do not know. That is the issue that needs to be addressed.

 

[OptionsTrader]

There is a great Mythbusters episode where they attempt to recreate explosive deompression, and failed miserably.

 

[acptulsa]

Agreed that it's overblown. Especially by Hollywood--don't they overblow everything? Note I said a bullet hole (the first one only) can come out like a cannon wound. One 20mm cannon wound isn't likely to down an airplane.

 

[pcosmar]

More Info

I little more on Frangible Ammunition,
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/frangible.htm
http://www.dakotaammo.net/products/glaser/glaser.htm

 

[CountryboyRonPaul]

that Pilot deserves to be shot for doing a disservice to his fellow countryman and passengers.

TMike

Those in Government that would use this singular occurence as an example of how all Civilians handle firearms should be shot. The Pilot should just learn how to handle his weapon better, and perhaps face penalties by his employer if they deem it necessary.

 

[madengr]

More info:

WTF! A lock is supposed to be threaded behind the trigger while in the holster! I knew it was some bullsh!t rule that contributed to this: