It depends on how high the plane is. The higher it is, the greater the difference in pressure and temperature inside and outside the plane, because the cabin has a pressurization mechanism, which keeps the temperature stabilized at 22ºC and the air pressure similar to that at ground level. Therefore, the farther off the ground, the worse the consequences for passengers and crew can be.
On August 8, 2006, a TAM plane lost its front door – luckily, while it was still taking off. He was only a fifth of the height he usually reaches in flight. The air temperature that took over the cabin was 20ºC and the pressure was not low enough to cause serious problems. Even so, some passengers suffered blood pressure problems, and a stewardess near the door had to hold on to an armchair to avoid being dragged off the plane. At the same time, the pilot turned around and returned to the airport, avoiding major problems. But things could have gotten worse if the aircraft had been on its flight ceiling (the maximum height it reaches).
Scared time
Up to 3,000 meters, the worst thing about air intake is the scare. But from then on…
LEVEL 1 – On the ground
Even if the plane reaches 240 km/h, the maximum speed before leaving the ground, nothing serious can happen. At most, the wind blows light objects near the door. After all, on the ground, the temperature and pressure inside and outside the plane are the same – at sea level, the pressure is 1 kilogram-force per cm2 and is slightly lower in higher cities
WHAT DOES THE PILOT DO? – Interrupts takeoff
LEVEL 2 – 1 800 meters
The TAM plane was at that altitude, at 350 km/h, the temperature outside was only 2ºC lower than that of the cabin and the internal pressure was similar to the external pressure. When the door is opened, the cabin is filled with air from outside, but only after 3,000 meters the pressure is low enough to cause rupture of the eardrums, nausea and headache.
WHAT DOES THE PILOT DO? – Proceed to the nearest airport
LEVEL 3 – 11 thousand meters
Speed between 800 and 1,000 km/h, external temperature of minus 34°C and air pressure equivalent to a quarter of that at ground level. Opening the door makes people feel very cold and have extreme difficulty breathing. While the external air enters the cabin, the internal air, with much higher pressure, leaves all at once – like when we burst a balloon -, “spitting” people and objects out of the plane.
WHAT DOES THE PILOT DO? – Get as low as possible. Masks keep people breathing for 15 to 20 minutes
Read too:
– What were the first aerial combats like?
– How does the plane’s black box work?
– What is the risk of an airplane having an accident?