Huddersfield University lecturer’s blast theory for missing Air France flight.

Jun 3 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A HUDDERSFIELD University aviation expert says the Air France mystery plane disappearance could be down to an explosion.

Five Britons were among the 228 on board the A330 flight from Brazil to Paris which vanished over the Atlantic ocean on Sunday.

The plane was reported to have run into stormy weather and Air France officials said it may have been taken down by a lightning strike or an electrical failure.

But David Warnock-Smith, a lecturer in air transport at Huddersfield University, said neither scenario was likely as the pilot would have had time to communicate the problems and not just disappear.

He said: “I think it could have been a blast.

“They were very quick to rule out terrorism but a sudden change in air pressure from a small crack in the aircraft could rip it apart very, very quickly and that would explain why the pilots didn’t have time to make any further communication.

“Or it could have been from something flammable in someone’s luggage.

“It’s a mystery because very few aircraft go down at cruising altitude at 35,000 feet.

“The majority of accidents and incidents happen at take off or landing when pilots have less margin for error.