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| How I survived a plane crash | How I survived a plane crash |
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| The accident has made Andrew feel less cavalier about flyingLast week, the Magazine reported on fascinating research into how to survive a plane crash. The experiences of Andrew Wimshurst, from Bristol, in our reader's column, bear out the findings. | The accident has made Andrew feel less cavalier about flyingLast week, the Magazine reported on fascinating research into how to survive a plane crash. The experiences of Andrew Wimshurst, from Bristol, in our reader's column, bear out the findings. |
| It was an internal Nigerian Airways flight from Lagos to Enugu, on 28 November, 1983. I was 34 and as manager of a pharmaceutical division of Ciba-Geigy, going to Enugu to visit our offices. | It was an internal Nigerian Airways flight from Lagos to Enugu, on 28 November, 1983. I was 34 and as manager of a pharmaceutical division of Ciba-Geigy, going to Enugu to visit our offices. |
| The F28 jet was almost full and I had an aisle seat three rows from the back. | The F28 jet was almost full and I had an aisle seat three rows from the back. |
| At that time of year in Nigeria, the wind blows from the North, bringing with it sand from the Sahara. Visibility gets down to a few feet at times but that morning it was good enough to fly so we took off. | At that time of year in Nigeria, the wind blows from the North, bringing with it sand from the Sahara. Visibility gets down to a few feet at times but that morning it was good enough to fly so we took off. |
| Announcement interrupted | Announcement interrupted |
| After an hour and close to Enugu, I looked out of the window expecting to see the ground below. I could see nothing but the red dust swirling. It was impossible to see anything. The plane however was descending normally but concerned, I put on my seatbelt. | After an hour and close to Enugu, I looked out of the window expecting to see the ground below. I could see nothing but the red dust swirling. It was impossible to see anything. The plane however was descending normally but concerned, I put on my seatbelt. |
| FOKKER F28 Flew commercially from 1969Two Rolls-Royce Spey 550 enginesProduction ended in 198728/11/83 flight crashed 2 miles short of runwayCaught fire in poor visibility2 crew, 51 passengers killed How to survive a plane crash | FOKKER F28 Flew commercially from 1969Two Rolls-Royce Spey 550 enginesProduction ended in 198728/11/83 flight crashed 2 miles short of runwayCaught fire in poor visibility2 crew, 51 passengers killed How to survive a plane crash |
| The hostess started the announcement that we were about to land at Enugu, but she never finished. | The hostess started the announcement that we were about to land at Enugu, but she never finished. |
| There was the most terrific thump, people started screaming and the light went out. We had we hit the ground and were careering along at 200kph. There was absolutely no warning. | There was the most terrific thump, people started screaming and the light went out. We had we hit the ground and were careering along at 200kph. There was absolutely no warning. |
| Instinctively I bent forward, head down with my arms braced against my legs. | Instinctively I bent forward, head down with my arms braced against my legs. |
| A wing hit a tree and turned the plane broadside. The plane bounced violently up and down like a ping pong ball, as we were in a field of yams growing on waist high molehills. | A wing hit a tree and turned the plane broadside. The plane bounced violently up and down like a ping pong ball, as we were in a field of yams growing on waist high molehills. |
| When we came to a stop flames erupted in the row behind me so I realised the danger immediately. Trying to escape I forgot to unfasten my seatbelt and it took me three goes to get the clasp open. | When we came to a stop flames erupted in the row behind me so I realised the danger immediately. Trying to escape I forgot to unfasten my seatbelt and it took me three goes to get the clasp open. |
| Toxic smoke | Toxic smoke |
| Someone had opened the emergency window over the wing but had failed to throw it out of the plane. It lay between the rows blocking access to the window. Coming from behind I was able to push past. | Someone had opened the emergency window over the wing but had failed to throw it out of the plane. It lay between the rows blocking access to the window. Coming from behind I was able to push past. |
| Only 30 seconds since coming to rest, dense black smoke was filling the cabin and flowing towards the opening. Knowing not to inhale the toxic fumes, I held my breath until I could take in fresh air. Even with my head out, I still had to wait for the wind to blow the dense smoke away from my face. | Only 30 seconds since coming to rest, dense black smoke was filling the cabin and flowing towards the opening. Knowing not to inhale the toxic fumes, I held my breath until I could take in fresh air. Even with my head out, I still had to wait for the wind to blow the dense smoke away from my face. |
| My seat was six or seven rows away from the exit but I must have been one of the first out. I tumbled head first onto the wing and jumped off. | My seat was six or seven rows away from the exit but I must have been one of the first out. I tumbled head first onto the wing and jumped off. |
| At the time, survival depended on a number of factors | At the time, survival depended on a number of factors |
| Eight others joined me and we stood in disbelief looking at the burning wreck listening to the screaming of those still inside. Then it went silent. All those inside had been overcome by smoke. | Eight others joined me and we stood in disbelief looking at the burning wreck listening to the screaming of those still inside. Then it went silent. All those inside had been overcome by smoke. |
| I owe my life to the following: | I owe my life to the following: |
| • To a member of the cabin staff who opened the escape hatch who did not get out. | • To a member of the cabin staff who opened the escape hatch who did not get out. |
| • That I was in an aisle seat, allowing me a quick exit from the row. | • That I was in an aisle seat, allowing me a quick exit from the row. |
| • That the fire was directly behind me, making me aware of the danger earlier than others. | • That the fire was directly behind me, making me aware of the danger earlier than others. |
| • That I knew the smoke would be toxic. | • That I knew the smoke would be toxic. |
| • That I was travelling alone and only had myself to think about, had I been travelling with my family we would all have died. | • That I was travelling alone and only had myself to think about, had I been travelling with my family we would all have died. |
| • That I was able to react quickly as that many people in such circumstances freeze. Had it not taken me three goes to unfasten my seat belt, I would have been even quicker. | • That I was able to react quickly as that many people in such circumstances freeze. Had it not taken me three goes to unfasten my seat belt, I would have been even quicker. |
| It was reported that two of the six crew members and 51 of the 66 passengers died. | It was reported that two of the six crew members and 51 of the 66 passengers died. |
| I flew back to Lagos later that day in the Presidents Jet, sitting close to an exit and in an aisle seat - hoping that lightning would not strikes twice! | I flew back to Lagos later that day in the Presidents Jet, sitting close to an exit and in an aisle seat - hoping that lightning would not strikes twice! |
| Crash legacy | Crash legacy |
| It was a major event in my life and it comes up in conversation quite frequently. I'm certainly less cavalier about flying. I never used to bother about anything, but now I listen to the aircraft noise as there were things at the time that made me put on my seat belt. | It was a major event in my life and it comes up in conversation quite frequently. I'm certainly less cavalier about flying. I never used to bother about anything, but now I listen to the aircraft noise as there were things at the time that made me put on my seat belt. |
| But I'm sufficiently level-headed to know it's unlikely to happen again. | But I'm sufficiently level-headed to know it's unlikely to happen again. |
| Has it changed my life? I'm sure it has affected me in some ways. Immediately afterwards, I could forgive anybody anything, but that goes with time. | Has it changed my life? I'm sure it has affected me in some ways. Immediately afterwards, I could forgive anybody anything, but that goes with time. |
Add | |
| Here is a fine example of survival by obeying the rules. Know where you are in the aircraft, know where the exits are and know what you're going to do. I would also imagine that Mr Wimshurst listened to the safety brief and read the emergency card. We should all do the same. Every time.Steven Lucas, Farnborough, UK | Here is a fine example of survival by obeying the rules. Know where you are in the aircraft, know where the exits are and know what you're going to do. I would also imagine that Mr Wimshurst listened to the safety brief and read the emergency card. We should all do the same. Every time.Steven Lucas, Farnborough, UK |
| I remember that incident as I was in Nigeria when that plane crash happened. Thanks for sharing your testimony and life experience, a plane crash is something that you can't determine when it could happen, we have to relax as we fly and give thanks when we set our feet on the ground.Ugochukwu, Seoul | I remember that incident as I was in Nigeria when that plane crash happened. Thanks for sharing your testimony and life experience, a plane crash is something that you can't determine when it could happen, we have to relax as we fly and give thanks when we set our feet on the ground.Ugochukwu, Seoul |