Firearm discharges on US Airways flight

[zztopper]

From Charlotte Observer:

A bullet fired by a US Airways pilot Saturday as his plane was preparing to land in Charlotte penetrated the left side of the cockpit and went through the aircraft’s fuselage.

According to a report by Charlotte airport police and photos of the Airbus A319 jet, the bullet pierced the left side of cockpit’s wall and exited to the left of the aircraft’s nose. Although the fuselage was punctured, air safety experts said most planes can withstand such a breach and continue flying normally.

The report also revealed that the captain of Flight 1536 from Denver fired the shot as he “was stowing his weapon.â€￾ The captain was carrying the 13-shot pistol as part of the Federal Flight Deck Officer program run by the federal Transportation Security Administration.

 

[Dog Wonder]

"Guns don't shoot holes in airplanes, Pilots do."

 

[BeenThereDoneThat]

From Charlotte Observer:

A bullet fired by a US Airways pilot Saturday ... went through the aircraft’s fuselage.
Although the fuselage was punctured, air safety experts said most planes can withstand such a breach and continue flying normally.

You mean the movies lie! People and things don't get sucked through the little hole. Wow!! Can't believe anything.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

You mean the movies lie! People and things don't get sucked through the little hole. Wow!! Can't believe anything.

Weren't they under 10,000 feet? If that was the case the plane wouldn't be pressurized.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Weren't they under 10,000 feet? If that was the case the plane wouldn't be pressurized.

Oh yes it would, just not as much differential pressure as at higher altitudes.

Jim

 

[sharktooth]

The FO may require surgery to remove the seat cushion from his posterior and will have a phobia about anyone handling a weapon near them for rest of their life.

How do you know the FO was not an FFDO? Perhaps they were comparing their guns.

 

[yoyodyne]

From Charlotte Observer:

A bullet fired by a US Airways pilot Saturday as his plane was preparing to land in Charlotte penetrated the left side of the cockpit and went through the aircraft’s fuselage.

Oh my, it's a fly by shooting!!!

 

[N965VJ]

Shooting at the walls of heartache, bang-bang, I am the warrior.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Shooting at the walls of heartache, bang-bang, I am the warrior.

He's gonna need Warren Zevon's, "Lawyers, Guns and Money"

 

[AAA73Pilot]

He's gonna need Warren Zevon's, "Lawyers, Guns and Money"

Great song wasn't it? Always liked his music. To bad he was a sick puppy though Just call the shooter the "Excitable Boy".

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Great song wasn't it? Always liked his music. To bad he was a sick puppy though Just call the shooter the "Excitable Boy".

Excitable Boy would imply for that guy on that AA flight from LAX-DFW that gave the lady next to him some, Vidal Sassoon Hair Gel!

 

[320tech]

Does anyone know yet where the discharge went into...the avionics or a window or the floor...

the pictures we say it went just forward of the capt's joystick and about a 3 in hole out the side.

 

[700UW]

From all the pics that were sent to me it looks like it went through just under the window punturing the skin, I do not think there are anything behind it except a spar and insulation, there would not be enough room for any critical parts to be placed behind there except for wiring.

 

[phlgreaser]

Pic of a/c 765

 

[phlgreaser]

Pic of a/c 765