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In reply to the discussion: One Pilot Was Locked Out of Cockpit Before Crash in France [View all]The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,690 posts)94. I have, many times.
The airline I worked for has a FA enter the flight deck if one of the pilots has to leave. This is the normal procedure for US carriers, as this article, discussing the A320 accident, explains:
Doors are opened during restroom and meal breaks, and some carriers may have less stringent policies than others on visits from outsiders.
Here is scenario based on this statement. One of the two pilots left the cockpit on a restroom break, but did not invite a flight attendant to take his place in the cockpit. In the United States of America and on a US flag carrier this would have been standard procedure.
Once this pilot left the cockpit, only the other remaining pilot in the cockpit would have been able to open the door. According to an expert eTN talked to, this door has to be opened from the inside. Was there a situation, a loss in cabin pressure, or unexpected medical condition preventing the remaining pilot to open the cockpit door? Was the other pilot simply asleep when the first pilot tried to come back into the cockpit?
It is standard for US flag carriers to always have two people in the cockpit. So yes, when a pilot uses the bathroom, a flight attendant will go in. This is to be able to open the cockpit door if the remaining co-pilot becomes incapacitated.
Here is scenario based on this statement. One of the two pilots left the cockpit on a restroom break, but did not invite a flight attendant to take his place in the cockpit. In the United States of America and on a US flag carrier this would have been standard procedure.
Once this pilot left the cockpit, only the other remaining pilot in the cockpit would have been able to open the door. According to an expert eTN talked to, this door has to be opened from the inside. Was there a situation, a loss in cabin pressure, or unexpected medical condition preventing the remaining pilot to open the cockpit door? Was the other pilot simply asleep when the first pilot tried to come back into the cockpit?
It is standard for US flag carriers to always have two people in the cockpit. So yes, when a pilot uses the bathroom, a flight attendant will go in. This is to be able to open the cockpit door if the remaining co-pilot becomes incapacitated.
http://www.eturbonews.com/56941/germanwings-pilot-was-trying-smash-cockpit-door-down
Also this: http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-german-jet-crash-door-20150325-story.html
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Mahalo for your post, Xithras.. I hope they're able to tell from what's left exactly what happened
Cha
Mar 2015
#101
But the next disaster will involve a bad guy who forces a crew member to unlock the door
groundloop
Mar 2015
#16
That's an accepted protocol on some air platforms--a FA stepping in if a pilot steps out. nt
MADem
Mar 2015
#77
That sounds like absolute woo to me. Sounds like you've been shopped a real bill of goods. nt
MADem
Mar 2015
#78
Yes, this was after 9/11 that it was required the doors bolted after the cabin doors were closed.
herding cats
Mar 2015
#17
They were always lockable. The doors were reinforced and a strict lock policy was set.
Hassin Bin Sober
Mar 2015
#66
If the pilot was merely incapacitated, why did he program the plane for descent?
mainer
Mar 2015
#30
or three - an accident - like a blown out window maybe a bird crash. a very big bird like ostrich
hollysmom
Mar 2015
#44
I was kind of kidding, I thought perhaps a flaw in the plane could cause an air leak.
hollysmom
Mar 2015
#61
If there was such an air leak, the other pilot banging on the door would be unconscious.
Angleae
Mar 2015
#95
Or a hijack - person waits for pilot to leave, knocks for entry, they let hijacker in thinking
Yo_Mama
Mar 2015
#47
And with the pilot's body likely in a million pieces, determining that will be very, very difficult
dbackjon
Mar 2015
#10
The doors have emergency override codes. The door must have been deliberately locked from the inside
Yo_Mama
Mar 2015
#52
Exactly--they'll do a brutally intrusive forensic examination of their lives, just to
MADem
Mar 2015
#80
Maybe, but one of the "experts" on tv who was a pilot of an Airbus said that plane
napi21
Mar 2015
#39
That is unfortunately my thought. They will be investigating the background of the pilots
still_one
Mar 2015
#59
Sounds more like murder. It isn't suicide when you intentionally kill 150 people.
cbdo2007
Mar 2015
#121
This happened to a Delta flight a few months ago when the door became jammed
davidn3600
Mar 2015
#43
Yes, but there is always someone in the cockpit, so someone would have been flying the plane.
Yo_Mama
Mar 2015
#55
Pilot remaining in cockpit goes on oxygen during the time other pilot is away, too?
Ready4Change
Mar 2015
#87
Psychological problems=Suicide Recent religious conversion or extremist political beliefs=Terrorism
bklyncowgirl
Mar 2015
#109
Airbus seems to use the keypad and 30 second override system described above
muriel_volestrangler
Mar 2015
#104
It struck me how quick the authorities were to downplay the possibility of terrorism or criminality
bklyncowgirl
Mar 2015
#105