Expert: Ned Dolan - 4/19/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Dear Ned,
I have one more question i need to ask you before next week when I will be flying.
How often does a fuel tank on a commerical flight explode.
and what causes this to happen. Also I heard on the news years ago tht a american airline plane lost its rutter. How can this happen?
Thanks for your last reply from my last email.

PS -I'm just a14 years old girl who needs to stop watching shows about airline disaters.
Thanks, Kelly  

Answer
Hi Kelly,

Fuel tanks on commercial aircraft have exploded twice. However, this was since we began flying - so many millions of flights have not exploded.

The loss of a rudder was caused by overstressing the tail which in turn was caused by an overreaction to some wake turbulence. Again, it was one in millions of flights.

You are right about the shows. The television always shows the bad things. Its the same with shootings or car accidents. They play things up out of proportion to reality.

As I said before, get a good window seat (not over the wing, because it blocks the view) and enjoy the great views from above. While you are in the terminal its fun to watch the great variety of people that are flying.  Have a fun trip.

Ned