The Truth Behind Falling from an Airplane: Myth vs Reality
Falling from an airplane without a parachute is a dramatic and often fatal scenario. It's a question that has long puzzled many: would a person die while falling or only upon impact? This article explores the factors that determine the outcome in such a situation, dispelling common myths and highlighting the truth behind this harrowing experience.
Understanding the Fall: Beyond the Myth
There is a common misconception that the mere act of falling will lead to death. However, this is a fallacy. A skydiver can attest that falling does not inherently cause death. The crucial aspect is the impact upon hitting the ground. This is where the majority of the fatal injuries occur.
Altitude and Its Impact
The elevation from which one is ejected is a significant factor in the outcome. High altitudes can lead to unconsciousness due to the extreme pressure. At altitudes above 30,000 feet where airliners typically cruise, the rapid loss of oxygen can cause immediate insensibility. This means that a person could be unconscious even before hitting the ground.
Crashes and Injuries
Not all instances of falling from an airplane involve a high altitude. Plane crashes can also occur, often with the plane breaking apart and tossing people from the air. In these cases, the impact with the ground is not the sole source of harm. Individuals can suffer fatal injuries from the initial impact of the plane breaking apart.
Survival Rates and Miracles
Survival rates in such scenarios are extremely low, but there are rare instances where individuals have managed to survive the fall. An example is a young lady who survived the inflight breakup of her plane and walked to civilization without assistance. On the other hand, there have been cases where many individuals were killed prior to landing, such as the incident involving BOAC 781.
The Physics of the Fall
The mechanics of the fall play a crucial role in determining the outcome. If a person is ejected at an extremely high altitude, like 60,000 feet, death can occur almost immediately due to the thin air and lack of breathable atmosphere. For altitudes of 30,000 feet or lower, the person would fall until hitting the ground at an extremely high velocity, leading to certain death.
High Altitude Considerations
Full pressure suits are necessary for flights at altitudes above 49,000 feet due to the sudden loss of pressure, which can incapacitate a human almost instantly. Above 60,000 feet, death can occur in as little as 60 seconds due to the extreme atmospheric conditions.
Understanding the factors that influence the outcome of falling from an airplane is essential for dispelling myths and understanding the reality of such a scenario. Whether falling from a high altitude or a low one, the impact with the ground is the primary cause of fatal injuries.