Inside the SkyWest Airlines Plane Where 3 Passengers Passed Out Mid-Flight - ABC News

Hypoxia, or hyperventilation? Group hysteria?

Or, engine-oil mist in the A/C?

 

Jeez, all kinds of stupidity going on in that aircraft and that article.

 

Whenever I read/watch/hear 'news' stories like this I get the impression that the media (and I guess by association, the general public) think we as pilots are just along for the ride while the plane has a mind of it's own. For example, I love the caption they have on for most of this story that reads "Plane Nosedives After Passengers Pass Out". Oh, so the plane senses 3 people have lost consciousness and starts a random, uncontrolled "nosedive"? Does anyone know any other way to "dive" a jet? Better than an assdive I suppose but that's a whole different topic. Give me a freaking break. Why not say something like "Pilots React to Medical Emergency"? Not sensationalist enough I suppose

/rant

 

"Intoxicated, psychotic, sleepy, overpaid, crybaby, part time whiny pilots unable to respond to Medical Emergency: Plane Nosedives entirely on its own nearly killing everyone. Dr Bob Arnot saves the day. Details at Eleven."

How's that?

 

Rather than debate the merits and accuracy of the media (zero/none), my real question was:

"What would make three people pass out, and no one else?"

 

A lower tolerance for hypoxia than everyone else.

 

True, especially amongst the elderly or weak.

I've also seen the self-induced form (hyperventilation) due to anxiety in the altitude chamber (not passed out, but displaying hypoxia symptoms).

That's the mass-hysteria angle. One person does due to their low tolerance. Another---a nurse---gets lightheaded from exhertion on said patient. Some other armrest-gripper sees this and thinks "We aren't getting any air!!" Panic, etc.

Other than high cabin altitude, the only other thing I know of that can affect people physiologically would be engine oil present in the bleed air, which goes to the cabin. Such oil can originate from a pinhole leak at the first bearing, in front of the compressor.

Jet turbine oil contains Tricresyl phosphate as a stabilizing additive for high and low temerature extremes.

Tricresyl phosphate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It is also a nerve agent and extremely toxic.

 

Brian Williams is reporting he had enough breathable oxygen just three rows in front of those people but could sense a pressurization problem in that specific area, almost like a black hole, the pilots were reported watching the aircraft not do a nosedive, rather a cannonball.

 

It was actually this;

 

Brian Williams would never do such a thing. He would've been in those seats, next to those passengers feeling what it was like to experience an explosive decompression but had no issues because of his extensive workout regimen.