Last month, while coming back from Las Vegas (MD-80 Aircraft, Allegiant Airlines) - The smaller plane I was on hit massive weather (Hail and Thunderstorm) -- along with extreme turbulence. There was a 20 minute period, where the pilot seemed to lose control of the aircraft - As the wings pitched wildly, and we were almost upside down at one point. Then hail hit the fuselage, and it sounded like the air frame was breaking apart as we dropped in huge 50-100 foot incrememnts through the clear air turbulence.
I've never been a nervous flyer, and I fly several times a year. Now I'm pretty much terrified to get back on an airplane -- And I was wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks to overcoming my fear?
2006-08-28 08:19:15 · 4 answers · asked by hakrjak 2 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Severe turbulence rarely happens but of course, it does to the rare flight.
Obviously you were either taking off or descending and to be honest, the pilot of that flight made a bad decision to depart or descend knowing that the aircraft would be heading into bad weather. Most pilot's would have requested a flight delay or circle untill the storm passed over, but it's the pilot's judgement so I guess he thought they would take the chance. Turbulence during departure or arrival usually doesn't happen except in bad weather (like in your flight) and again a bad choice by the pilot, as passengers and crew may have been injured, because it definitely sounds like it was severe turbulence. Take off and landing are the most dangerous parts of the flight (even though planes are very safe), that's why passengers often go very quiet at those stage's of the flights.
I highly doubt that the pilot lost controll of the aircraft. It may have just felt like that because the turbulence was so bad.
Sometimes, a pilot will force the aircraft to drop several hundred feet during very bad turbulence, because it may take the plane below the pocket of turbulence, and the pilot will slowly take the plane back up to get past the pocket of turbulence.
This was just one flight. Anyone who flys a lot may experience a bad flight atleast once in there life time if any. Remember that flying is safer than driving a car. Think of all those cars on the road, one could hit you at any moment.
Personally, if I had been on that flight I wouldn't be flying with Allegiant Airlines again, if there own pilot's make such absurd decisions to fly through a major thunderstorm with hail and heavy rain.
A great site for information of general passenger airline travel, and air turbulence is a website called "flying safely on the Boeing 777". An actual airline pilot owns the site and answers people's questions about flying (it provides information for any aircraft not just the 777, hence the name).
There is a great section on Air turbulence were the captain, explains common questions:
http://www.geocities.com/khlim777_my/asturbulence.htm#About
- I hope this helps, and be sure to check out that site! It will make you feel a lot more comfortable when on your next flight!
- Alexandra / Sonic
2006-08-28 12:17:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go flying! Get right back into the air and fly again. A small GA plane would be best, that way the pilot can actually show you whats happening as you decend. Helped me!
2006-08-28 15:26:43 · answer #2 · answered by Blazzer440 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the Doc and get some valium for your next flight. That will make you comfortable.
2006-08-28 15:27:26 · answer #3 · answered by Snogood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're still more likely to die in a car accident than an airplane crash.
2006-08-28 15:24:33 · answer #4 · answered by Mike R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋