Passengers Take Selfies, Evacuate Swiss Flight With Bags In Hand After Engine Failure
View from the Wing • • world
Key Points:
- Swiss flight 147 from Delhi to Zurich experienced a left engine failure during takeoff, prompting the crew to reject takeoff and evacuate 228 passengers and four infants safely on the runway.
- The left Rolls Royce Trent 772 engine failed with a loud bang at around 104-105 knots, causing smoke from overheated brakes and a possible fire near the left main gear.
- Six passengers required medical attention after evacuation, including two with serious leg fractures; the evacuation was slowed by passengers taking bags, filming, and pausing for selfies.
- Experts highlight the challenge of managing passenger behavior during emergencies, noting that locking overhead bins or punishing passengers is unlikely to be effective in speeding evacuations.
- The incident underscores the importance of realistic safety planning that accounts for actual passenger behavior, while commending the pilots and crew for their effective response and minimizing injuries.
