Pilot's gun discharges on US Airways flight

[mpenguin1]

I guess it is true what they say about pilots, they shoot a little early

http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/....1c4cabd1.html

March 23, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- A US Airways pilot’s gun accidentally discharged during a flight from Denver to Charlotte Saturday, according to as statement released by the airline.

The statement said the discharge happened on Flight 1536, which left Denver at approximately 6:45am and arrived in Charlotte at approximately 11:51am. The Airbus A319 plane landed safely and none of the flight’s 124 passengers or five crew members was injured, according to the statement

[Hacker15e]

So, I'm thinking it's not exactly legal for them to be dicking around with the gun in the cockpit...

[madmax]

Originally Posted by Hacker15e

So, I'm thinking it's not exactly legal for them to be dicking around with the gun in the cockpit...

What's wrong with drunken gunplay?

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by madmax

What's wrong with drunken gunplay?

I would really, really caution against using accusations like that, even if made in jest.

[meyers9163]

Why couldnt this just have been an accident? No one and no where did it say he or she was playing with the gun. However lets face it, I've had captains who carry and caution me about it and make sure the door is closed when they take the weapon off and put it back on. I could see when they transfer the weapon from the person to per say their flight bag the trigger could get pulled and accidents could happen. lets assume until otherwise proven this guy/gal did not play with the GUN!

[Gumps]

"A statement from TSA said the airplane was never in danger..." -From the article.

Is there any one here who knows if the FFDO program limits the type of ammo a Captain may carry? Meaning not capable of rupturing the pressure vessel. I'm sure it takes less to put a nut out of commission than to punch through a few layers of plastic and aluminum. Just curious.

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by Gumps

"A statement from TSA said the airplane was never in danger..." -From the article.

Is there any one here who knows if the FFDO program limits the type of ammo a Captain may carry? Meaning not capable of rupturing the pressure vessel. I'm sure it takes less to put a nut out of commission than to punch through a few layers of plastic and aluminum. Just curious.

There are parts of the FFDO program that should not be discussed on a public forum.

[SteveC]

Not discussing actual FFDO information, but a hole the size of a bullet in the pressure vessel is a non event. There are plenty of openings a lot larger than that that are already built into the aircraft, and the pressurization system supplies more than enough air to overcome all of those small leaks. A few more won't effect that system.

[LoadMasterC141]

Personally, I am surprised this has not happened before. Its only speculation of course, but I don't see how the pilot could have "accidentally" fired the gun without making a mistake if only procedural.
Even if he was transferring it to a flight bag, he should have never removed the weapon from the harness. Most likely it was a "hey man can I see your gun?"

Even with a round in the chamber, it is going to take a little bit of work to unsafe and pull the trigger. The gun will not "accidentally" fire without the pin hitting the bullet. Your finger should NEVER be in the trigger unless you are intending to fire.

[Firebird2XC]

Ugh. The term 'accidental discharge' is a complete misnomer, unless you're borderline incompetent with handling a modern firearm.

Sheesh.

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Not discussing actual FFDO information, but a hole the size of a bullet in the pressure vessel is a non event. There are plenty of openings a lot larger than that that are already built into the aircraft, and the pressurization system supplies more than enough air to overcome all of those small leaks. A few more won't effect that system.

The worry is more along the lines of the bullet hitting something/someone and causing some problems. You know, the whole Sean Connery "shum shings don't react well to bullets."

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

Even with a round in the chamber, it is going to take a little bit of work to unsafe and pull the trigger.

If it's public information (and I don't know if it is) check out the weapon that is issued to FFDOs.

[LoadMasterC141]

Yeah it is not public info. I do know which weapon it is though and understand where you are going with this.

[higney85]

Do not disclaim anything about FFDO's. While I am not an FFDO there is alot of things that I have picked up on from flying with them. This is a public forum and you are dealing with a program involving national security.

[IFly85]

Keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to shoot something...

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Gumps

Is there any one here who knows if the FFDO program limits the type of ammo a Captain may carry? Meaning not capable of rupturing the pressure vessel. I'm sure it takes less to put a nut out of commission than to punch through a few layers of plastic and aluminum. Just curious.

Originally Posted by SteveC

Not discussing actual FFDO information, but a hole the size of a bullet in the pressure vessel is a non event. There are plenty of openings a lot larger than that that are already built into the aircraft, and the pressurization system supplies more than enough air to overcome all of those small leaks. A few more won't effect that system.

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

The worry is more along the lines of the bullet hitting something/someone and causing some problems. You know, the whole Sean Connery "shum shings don't react well to bullets."

I was just responding to the question about a round being able to penetrate the pressure vessel.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by higney85

Do not disclaim anything about FFDO's.

"Disclose", maybe???

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I was just responding to the question about a round being able to penetrate the pressure vessel.

I know, but I couldn't pass up a chance to do a Connery impression could I?

[Doug Taylor]

Trebeeeeeeek!

[bLizZuE]

Apparently this thread is a secret.

[Doug Taylor]

Do you think it was the first mixed USAir + America West crew?

[LoadMasterC141]

OMG!!

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by BobDDuck

I know, but I couldn't pass up a chance to do a Connery impression could I?

Aye, good schtuff, too!

[bike21]

Oops!

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - No injuries are reported after a TSA federal flight deck officer's gun discharged on a US Airways flight from Denver to Charlotte, N.C.

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=88677

[madmax]

Just a heads up for those worried about secrecy, a simple google search will turn up almost all the info you want about FFDO's, as well as the Federal documents with your answers.

[Hacker15e]

Originally Posted by meyers9163

Why couldnt this just have been an accident? No one and no where did it say he or she was playing with the gun.

Because "accidental" discharges are EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY rare. Negligent discharges are far more common.

If you a responsible firearm owner and handle it with the same professionalism that you handle your duties as a pilot, there is absolutely no way the gun can just "go off".