Details are emerging of a Loong Air flight that was diverted after a passenger smashed a window on its A320neo. The incident happened on 25th May 2020 and was without serious incident. However, the passenger in question has been detained by police undergoing investigation for vandalism.
Drunk passenger cracks A320neo window
A passenger remains in police custody after having fractured a window on a Loong Air A320neo. The incident happened on 25th May 2020 on a domestic flight within China.
The Loong Air A320neo, registered B-30DH, was completing flight GJ8528 between Xining Caojiabao Airport in Qinghai province and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in Zhejiang when the crew was alerted to a problem. A 29-year-old female passenger known by the name of Li had cracked the window next to her seat. Images of the damage that emerged after the incident show deep fractures to the inner pane.
As a result of the damage and potential safety threat, the pilot was able to land the aircraft at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Henan province. While landing, crews were able to control the passenger before teams on the ground took over.
Police detain the passenger
On arrival at Zhengzhou, officials from the Public Security Bureau of Henan Provincial Public Security Department Airport arrested Ms. Li. She was taken into police custody and investigated for vandalism. She recorded a blood alcohol reading of 180mg/100ml, suggesting that she was heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident. It was later found that Ms. Li has consumed two 250ml bottles of alcohol before boarding her flight to help cope with personal emotional distress.
The following morning, Ms. Li said that she had no recollection of the event happening and could not remember being brought into police custody. It is believed that the passengers' case is still being reviewed, and the likely outcome is that she will bear full liability for the incident.
Fortunately, on this occasion, there was no further injury than one of remorse for the passenger. However, things could have been much different.
What happens when a window breaks mid-flight?
You'll likely remember the tragic accident back in 2018 that befell a Southwest Airlines passenger when a window was smashed by exploding debris. Having been partially sucked out of the plane, the passenger onboard the Boeing 737 aircraft died due to their injuries.
Broken plane windows are a significant cause for concern, not only for those who sit near them. Being fitted with a tight window seal that reinforces their ability to resist pressure, aircraft windows do more than just present a beautiful view. They're essential for maintaining cabin pressure.
Consequently, when a window is broken mid-flight, the pressure inside the cabin will equalize with that outside. It means passengers are likely to feel their ears popping and have difficulty breathing due to the lack of oxygen. What's more, the temperature of the cabin will drop dramatically.
Looking back, there have been a few incidents where this has happened, but usually, pilots can land at the nearest airport to resolve the issue. That said, the chances of a window breaking mid-fight are incredibly rare. It's more common for windshields to crack due to falling pressure or birdstrike. Even then, the possibility of a severe incident is low, considering how fast crews act to prevent them from escalating.
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