Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Why was a Boeing 727 deliberately crashed in desert?

Experiment for Discovery Channel aims to understand what it takes to survive an air crash.

DELIBERATELY SMASHING A multi-million euro plane into the desert packs high entertainment value, but the elaborate experiment, which kicked off the second season of Discovery Channel’s “Curiosity” series, wasn’t just for gasps.

It was also part of an effort to make the 2.8 billion flights that take to the skies each year safer.

“This groundbreaking experiment looks at what actually happens during a plane crash and the science behind passengers’ best chance for survival,” the Discovery Channel writes in a statement.

A similar demonstration was carried out by NASA in 1984, resulting in a fiery explosion.

Will this time be different? (Images: Discovery Channel)

Big Flo
1 / 18
  • Big Flo

    This is Big Flo, the 170-passenger Boeing 727, ahead of the experiment.
  • Taking off

    Big Flo takes off from an airport in Baja California, Mexico, carrying a pilot, co-pilot and a flight engineer.
  • Crash site

    A three-mile crash site in the remote region of Mexico's Sonoran Desert is cleared ahead of time.
  • Parachute

    Thirty minutes into the flight, the co-pilot and passenger parachute out of the plane.
  • Pilot

    The pilot jumps out of the plane just three minutes before it crashes.
  • Crash test dummies

    Fifteen crash test dummies, some with sensors, remain onboard.
  • Remote control

    The jet is now remotely controlled by a pilot in a helicopter that flies beside it.
  • The question

    The researchers want to know: Will Big Flo explode in flames or break into pieces on impact?
  • The impact

    The jet slams into the Mexican desert going 140mph.
  • The impact

    The descent is more than three times faster than a typical commercial airliner.
  • The impact

    On impact, the plane breaks into three pieces and the nose crumples under the fuselage.
  • Debris

    The cockpit completely separates from the rest of the aircraft, which is fairly disconcerting for pilots.
  • Investigations begin

    Now it's time for the scientists to investigate. First they review the footage from the 19 cameras inside the plane.
  • Survivors

    The team found that first-class passengers would have died whereas those in the middle of the cabin would probably have just broken bones and concussions. The folks in the back of the plane were safest.
  • Survivors

    Despite extensive damage to the cockpit, the pilots would most likely have survived.
  • Bracing

    The flight experts found that bracing for impact by putting your head down and placing your hands over your head can be a lifesaver.
  • Exit

    Sitting within five rows of an exit gives passengers the best chance of escaping.
  • Survivors

    Most importantly, the experiment showed that most plane crashes are survivable, according to Professor John Hansman of MIT.

- Dina Spector

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Published with permission from
View 43 comments
Close
43 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marilyn Maroney
    Favourite Marilyn Maroney
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 3:54 PM

    Funny Facebook status: I’m sick of the gov’t reading but never liking my statuses

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Cassidy
    Favourite William Cassidy
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 1:39 PM

    Can u hear me now.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Brien
    Favourite John O'Brien
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 1:59 PM

    Pray do explain ….

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J.Rudd
    Favourite J.Rudd
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:02 PM

    Expect this article to maybe vanish mysteriously also?
    If the USA and England state secret services gets its way – maybe so!

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marilyn Maroney
    Favourite Marilyn Maroney
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:12 PM

    Madsen sounds like just another crackpot to me.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J.Rudd
    Favourite J.Rudd
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:24 PM

    Very much so – but that don’t explain the pulling of the article regarding the EU bugging?
    A re-write was all that was needed.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sydney shaw
    Favourite Sydney shaw
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:48 PM

    That’s what they want you to think..

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie Edwards
    Favourite Jamie Edwards
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:02 PM

    Tin foil hat much?

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gearóid O Machain
    Favourite Gearóid O Machain
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:14 PM

    when “conspiracy” theories start repeatedly slapping you in the face tin foil hats won’t save us anymore!!

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie Edwards
    Favourite Jamie Edwards
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:46 PM

    How about producing some evidence before making assertions.

    Also, the government is spying and Obama is gay. Why include the gay part? What does he gain?

    Oh yes, sensationalism. God damn sheeple will believe anything these days.

    16
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Reynolds
    Favourite Johnny Reynolds
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:51 PM

    Shur he’s American and part Irish too :P

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute guardian
    Favourite guardian
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 3:06 PM

    Sure they removed it as editor say the story and thought wtf sre you thinking. I could talk to someone in nut house and get same info

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Knight
    Favourite Daniel Knight
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 4:16 PM

    Hey moron, can you stop repeating your anti Christian hate speech sheeple slur? And moron, learn about sheep before bashing them you goat that eats anything in front of you. Why do you keep bashing God’s creatures which he made for us as a symbol, and to eat and cloth us you idiot? Grow up dummy. Might wanna watch the vid of sheep chasing a way a wolf like you, assuming idiot. Sheep have a brain, learn more about it before playing God of the animal kingdom, you cow.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonny Rigley
    Favourite Jonny Rigley
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 4:45 PM

    @ Daniel:

    That has got to be the most moronic comment i have ever read. In fact i think i have lost several IQ points just reading it the whole way through.

    I’d like to go through all the points of where your wrong but i really think it would be lost on you. I’m going to boil my point down to this: When he says sheep its a metaphor for people who are easily led in to going (believing) anywhere thier owners want them to (like sheep).

    Now go back to your sky-fairy

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute benny the ball
    Favourite benny the ball
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 4:55 PM

    Comment of the week right there Daniel, you gob*hite.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ed Kavanagh
    Favourite Ed Kavanagh
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 6:59 PM

    Sorry Jamie, but if waddles like a duck and quacks like a duck and you still think its a sheep then you have to question which one of us are crazy. Us tin foil hatters are starting to outnumber you and very soon you will be the only sane person in a world of crazies. Then who will be the crazy one.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie Edwards
    Favourite Jamie Edwards
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2013, 5:18 AM

    I must say I’m flattered you describe me as a wolf. Also, wanting evidence before believing a claim is now disliked.

    Am I seriously the only sane person here.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Mahon
    Favourite Mark Mahon
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:11 PM

    NOW WE KNOW WHY SNOWDEN IS NEEDED TO AMERIKAN “KGB” SO MUCH AND SO URGENTLY!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Loye
    Favourite Paul Loye
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:21 PM

    Obama would reverse into ya

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Brophy
    Favourite Paul Brophy
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 2:36 PM

    Not if I had a US Embassy ramp in front of me.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Little Jim
    Favourite Little Jim
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 5:13 PM

    Oh, the time the beast got stuck into the ramp!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Burke
    Favourite Brian Burke
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 5:13 PM

    Obama is part Irish and gay. Everyone knows that an Irish queer prefers women to drink.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patch Quinn
    Favourite Patch Quinn
    Report
    Jun 30th 2013, 6:00 PM

    I think the internet should be closed down country wise! Every country should be segmented!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds