Pilot diverts airplane to save dog

[Ockie]

(CNN)Simba the French bulldog is probably alive today because of the attentiveness of an Air Canada pilot.

Simba was flying via Air Canada Flight 85 from Tel Aviv to Toronto when the pilot noticed a problem with the cargo area's heating system, according to CNN Canadian affiliate City News. (Simba's owner, German Kontorovich, was in the cabin with his fellow humans.)

"As soon as the crew became aware of the temperature issue, the captain grew rightfully concerned for the dog's comfort and well-being," Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick told CNN via email. "With the altitude it can become very uncomfortable, and possibly the situation could have been life-threatening if the flight had continued."

The aircraft diverted to Frankfurt, Germany, where Simba, age 7, was boarded onto another flight, causing a delay of about 75 minutes for the original flight's passengers.

"Frankfurt was a good choice due to proximity, the fact there are multiple Air Canada flights (and flights by our partner Lufthansa) to Canada each day, and also because the airport can turn aircraft quickly, meaning there would be little time on the ground," said Fitzpatrick.

"While we recognize this was an inconvenience for our customers, the overall reaction was positive, particularly once people understood the dog was in potential danger but safe as a result of the diversion," he said.

Kontorovich was grateful for the pilot's decision. "It's my dog, it's like (my) child. It's everything," he told City News after landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

"It was definitely the right thing to do," a fellow passenger said.

The diversion could cost the airline thousands of dollars in fuel costs, aviation expert Phyl Durby told City News, but he called it the right decision. "The captain is responsible for all lives on board."

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/16/travel/air-canada-pilot-diverts-save-dog-feat/

 

[Ockie]

Awwww....a nice story for a Friday.

 

[MickZA]

Good boy ... give that pilot a bone

 

[skeptic_SA]

And THAT is why the cargo hold heating system is affectionately known to the cockpit crew as "the dead dog switch". True story...

Brilliant story

 

[Pitbull]

Brilliant. I love it.

Great story, and hats off to the pilot.

 

[Sl8er]

These are the types of people the world needs more of.

 

[AntiGanda]

I would have hooked the dog out of cargo and let it into the cabin. That diversion is very expensive.

 

[skeptic_SA]

I would have hooked the dog out of cargo and let it into the cabin. That diversion is very expensive.

I believe you cant access the cargo hold from the main cabin on most commercial jets.

 

[Kornhub]

.Nice

 

[Ockie]

I would have hooked the dog out of cargo and let it into the cabin. That diversion is very expensive.

Perhaps the dog cage was not accessible from the hatch? In fact, I am not sure if you can actually access the cargo hold from inside the cabin, but even if you can, dont think it is a good idea to go in there during flight.

 

[Ockie]

Perhaps the dog cage was not accessible from the hatch? In fact, I am not sure if you can actually access the cargo hold from inside the cabin, but even if you can, dont think it is a good idea to go in there during flight.

Could be very difficult getting to the dog with those things in there.

 

[The_Ogre]

I doubt the cargo hold is accessible during flight. Its pressurized, so theoretically it shouldn't be an issue surviving in there.

 

[Ockie]

I doubt the cargo hold is accessible during flight. Its pressurized, so theoretically it shouldn't be an issue surviving in there.

Yes, it is not a problem surviving in there, but could be a very dangerous place if clear air turbulence strikes and you are in there.

 

[skeptic_SA]

I doubt the cargo hold is accessible during flight. Its pressurized, so theoretically it shouldn't be an issue surviving in there.

It relates to the temperature and not the pressure. At 37000 feet the air temp is below freezing The holds are heated when the captain is advised on his load-sheet that there live cargo. They don't always heat the cargo holds.

 

[PsYTraNc3]

good man!

 

[Ry4n]

It relates to the temperature and not the pressure. At 37000 feet the air temp is below freezing The holds are heated when the captain is advised on his load-sheet that there live cargo. They don't always heat the cargo holds.

What about oxygen levels at that altitude?

 

[skeptic_SA]

What about oxygen levels at that altitude?

"Simba was flying via Air Canada Flight 85 from Tel Aviv to Toronto when the pilot noticed a problem with the cargo area's heating system, according to CNN Canadian affiliate City News."
The hold can be both pressurized AND heated. BOTH are required at this altitude to sustain life. In this instance the snag was the heating. The article doesn't mention the pressurization being affected. So one assumes the pressurization was fine.

 

[Glock26]

It relates to the temperature and not the pressure. At 37000 feet the air temp is below freezing The holds are heated when the captain is advised on his load-sheet that there live cargo. They don't always heat the cargo holds.

Why is my luggage never cold?
Agree, it was the right thing to do. I'd keep all kids down there and dogs up front with the passengers if I had a chance...

 

[Ninja'd]

Why does that dog look like he's gonna fight for Scotland's freedom?

 

[AntiGanda]

It relates to the temperature and not the pressure. At 37000 feet the air temp is below freezing The holds are heated when the captain is advised on his load-sheet that there live cargo. They don't always heat the cargo holds.

A pressurised cabin/hold is around 8,000ft of pressure (6000 in a 787 Dreamliner), so the temperature range is less extreme. I've never had a frozen bottle of water in my luggage either! There are hatches and areas that do provide access to the hold on some aircraft. The 747 is one. Dash 8 is another.