bryris

Also, standing on the wing might cause some dimples in areas where there isn't a rib close by. But, I think dimpling the wings isn't of incredible importance once you're on US Airways Cruise Lines.

Also, I don't fly the bus, but most commercial airliners can easily withstand at least 1.5 negative Gs (depending on flap setting). So considering that airplane's weight would likely be around 120,000lbs, flip that upside down and you've got a tremendous amount of force able to be withstood.

Summary: Every last person in that plane could have stood on the wing and it wouldn't have broken off. Some dimpling in the skin? Perhaps.

WarEagle28

That makes me laugh...thanks!

Jake Wheeler

Unfortunately, I do. Sorry, sir. No conspiracy here. No, the U.S. Government didn't shoot it down and try to cover it up. No, the airline didn't plan a publicity stunt to raise stock prices. No, those Canadian Geese weren't trained by Al-Qaeda to home in on aircraft engines.

No conspiracy. Nothing evil or hidden. Simply an unfortunate accident with a very fortunate outcome. Part of this outcome was due to the skill of the entire crew, part due to the rescuers on the scene, part due to the passengers themselves. If you want to toss in angels or the hand of God, feel free to do so since I can't explain this miracle either, but am very happy it came out the way it did.

Opus

Is this guy not another example of the failure of the public school system!

Jake Wheeler

Ever see a yoga master lie on a bed of nails? It's not a matter of the weight, but a matter of the weight distribution. Some ice fishermen and ice skaters find out the hard way that the ice isn't strong enough to support them standing up. If it starts to crack under them, do you know what the solution is? It's lay down and spread their weight across the ice. Those "fragile" wings you are so worried about hold up several thousands of pounds of airplane plus passengers and cargo, but if you put all of your weight on one spot you'll risk damaging the wing.

JetPilotMike

Stop feeding the troll!

FliFast

You wrote:

- This picture is heavily Photoshopped... when you zoom in, you see all sorts of cut and paste artwork... even the USAir logo is pasted onto the plane. Why?


It was a USAir jet, and the logo is used for identification purposes and to some extent marketing.


Also in this picture are dozens and dozens of "survivors"... it's hard to count because the picture is so fuzzy and distant (a common theme... distant and fuzzy pics). How can more than 20 people stand on a wing and not collapse it?

Boiler UP gave an excellent explanation. In addition, I took a tour at the Boeing facility north of Seattle, and they test their wings to withstand something like 125% of what is required for certification. Essentially they bend the wing in half until it snaps. The weight sensitive areas of the wings -above the spoilers panels- may in fact be damaged due to a person standing on it, but I think the airplane has other issues right now preventing it from returning to service.

- Where are the closeup pictures... if you watch any of the coverage yesterday, all of the camera angles were distant shots... even with the media within hundreds of yards of the scene. Why?

The aircraft was somewhat isolated being in the middle of the river and was somewhat cordoned off due to the fact that recovery was going on. However, if you watch the news or surf the web there are the closeups you reference.

TruthSleuth

I appreciate your measured response, GauleyPilot.

What would be the point of this massive cover up.... I'm not saying it's a massive cover up. Something in my gut tells me something isn't quite right about this... that's all.

That's why I came here for some answers.

By the way:
My father sent this short YouTube video to me. It proves that even 60 Minutes totally lied about the Israeli/Palestine conflict:

YouTube - Pallywood

Pretty amazing video, eh?

BoilerUP

Youtube - 777 Wing Loading Test

WarEagle28

VERY FUNNY