Peter Kemp peter_n_kempathotmaildotcom@ wrote:

On or about Sun, 19 Oct 2003 01:45:11 GMT, "Gord Beaman"
) allegedly uttered:

(Kevin Brooks) wrote:

"Keith Willshaw" wrote in message ...
wrote in message
om...
We all have seen the movies were one pistol shot or what not causes
the side of an airliner explode sucking the people, seats, etc. into
the void. What would happen in the reality? Let's assume the plane is
at the cruising altitude.

Not much unless a window was taken out and even then while
pillows , papers and magazines would be thrown about
people wouldnt be.

The extreme case is the Aloha airlines 737 which last about 20 ft of cabin
and
managed a safe landing, although some people were killed
on that one.

Keith

I believe there have been accident reports of much smaller holes than
that Aloha example where passengers were indeed sucked out.

I've been following this thread for awhile and have heard of most
of these incidents before. I notice that 'all' the posts refer to
"People etc being sucked out". Isn't the proper term "Blown out"
by the higher air pressure inside?, rather than being "Sucked out
by the lower air pressure outside?.

I realize that the same effect would be realized in either case
but it seems to go against my grain to call it "Sucked out". Any
thoughts?.

Well, from my point of view, I remember my Physics degree well - every
time we used the word "suck", my tutor would fail us - surprisingly
hard habit to get out of :-)
---
Peter Kemp


I agree with him, I think it's a poor way to describe that
action...the outside air molecules are pressing against the
aircraft windows with a certain force, if a window 'ruptures'
then the higher inside air pressure will force itself (and any
objects that it may contain) out into this comparatively lower
pressure.

'Suck' doesn't sound right for this action. (Or perhaps 'any'
action?)
--

-Gord.