ANA pilot error causes dangerous mid-air maneuver
September 28, 2011, 05:35 pm
A pilot flying for All Nippon Airways almost inverted his passenger plane recently, making a mental error when attempting to unlock the door to the flight deck of the 737 bound for Tokyo, Japan, according to Kyodo News.
The flight, which departed from Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, was transporting 117 passengers and crew and experienced problems over the Pacific Ocean, about 25 miles south of Hamamatsu, as a co-pilot, who was attempting to unlock the flight deck door for the captain, mistakenly turned the rudder knob, causing the aircraft to roll 131.7 degrees to the left, pitching downward and descending about 12,500 meters in 30 seconds, according to the source.
Two flight attendants reported minor injuries, and several passengers reported feeling ill, though officials say it is likely that passengers were never aware of the severity of the maneuver because it was night and centrifugal forces kept them in their seats.
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