When I fly, I don't worry much about the plane breaking apart at 35 000 feet or nosediving into a mountain at 500 mph, because then you die instantly. A good way to go if you ask me. But what I don't like is the prospect of a captain who tries to smoothly crash in a field with me surviving the impact but surrounded by fire which turns me into a BBQ before smoke puts an end to the party called life.
Does anyone know how many planes have lost passengers because of fire? Is smoke or fire the main killer? Does it take long for the toxic fumes in an airplane to knock you out? Will the pilots dump most of the fuel before impact, and will that normally be enough to reduce a fire? If so, why the huge fireball at Sioux City?
Is a smoke hood useful? But then again, being stuck in a burning fuselag with such a hood will just prolong the misery. Aaah, sweet worries about something not likely to happen. Better stop watching National Geographic...
Answers appreciated anyway! ;



