Experts examine jumbo jet in blast scare

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), July 26, 2008

EXPLOSIVES experts have been examining the mysterious gaping hole which de-pressurised a jumbo jet and forced it to make an emergency landing.

Police in Manila, Philippines, where it touched down, said they had offered to help in the investigation, but airline Qantas had so far turned them down.

There were no injuries among the 346 passengers.

The cabin's floor gave way, exposing some of the cargo beneath. Part of the ceiling also collapsed.

An airport spokesman said: "There is a big hole on the right side near the wing," adding that it was about 9ft across.

Pilot John Bartels was quoted as saying the plane suffered an "explosive decompression".

Australia's air safety investigator said an initial investigation suggested "a section of the fuselage separated".

The flight, from London to Melbourne, had just made a stopover in Hong Kong and was over the South China Sea.

Passengers described hearing an explosion and then the plane's oxygen masks were released.

One said the hole extended from the hold into the passenger cabin.

CAPTION(S):

INSPECTION: Airline mechanics look at the damaged Qantas Boeing 747-400 following its emergency landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines