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Oxygen blast linked with Qantas plane probe

27/07/2008

Investigators believe a possible oxygen cylinder blast could have forced a Qantas plane to make an emergency landing on Friday.

The Boeing 747-400 had been on route from London to Melbourne when it was forced to land in the Philippines after developing a hole in its fuselage, causing the plane to lose cabin pressure and plummet 6,000 feet.

And Neville Blyth, a senior investigator from the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau said an oxygen blast may be linked to the jet's rapid descent.

"It is too early to say whether this was the cause of the explosion, but one of the cylinders which provides back-up oxygen is missing," he told a news conference in Manila.

Airport spokesman Octavio Lina said the plane, carrying 346 passengers and 19 crew members, developed a "big hole in the right side near the wing".

The hole is reported to be almost 3m in diameter and exposed the plane's cargo after the plane's flooring gave way.

"Upon disembarkation, there were some passengers who vomited. You can see in their faces that they were really scared," Mr Lina added.

At the time, passenger June Kane was quoted by the Telegraph as saying: "There was a terrific boom and bits of wood and debris just flew forward into first [class] and the oxygen masks dropped down.

"We were told that one of the rear doors, a hole had blown into it, but I've since looked at the plane and there's a gigantic gaping hole in the plane.

"It was absolutely terrifying but I have to say everyone was very calm."

Qantas have confirmed that engineers are now investigating what might have caused the hole to develop.

Chief executive Geoff Dixon said: "The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have been notified of the incident and Qantas is sending its own engineers to Manila.

"Qantas has provided all passengers with accommodation and a replacement aircraft has been arranged."