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Old 07-25-2008, 08:42 AM   #4
JayCeeEll
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Location: Exeter, Devon, UK
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As is usual with this type of incident it is misreported.
Quote:
...was said to have plunged a terrifying 20,000 feet with a loss of cabin pressure...
Or as the pilot would say, after a loss of cabin pressure the aircraft was put into a steep controlled dive in order to get to approx 12,000 in the shortest time possible so that any passengers who failed to get their oxygen mask on and had lapsed into unconsciousness had a chance to survive.

14,000 feet is about the highest level at which consciousness can be maintained without the need for additional oxygen or a slow ascent measured in hours if not days.
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