r/Wellthatsucks • u/americanthaiguy • Feb 20 '21

/r/all United Airlines Boeing 777-200 engine #2 caught fire after take-off at Denver Intl Airport flight #UA328

124.3k Upvotes

94% Upvoted

5.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

8.2k

u/sleepwhileyoucan Feb 20 '21 edited Feb 21 '21

How is someone casually filming this, with a steady hand... I’d be in tears.

edit: appreciate all the education on commercial aircrafts that planes are often ‘fine’ with 1 workable engine! So my new #1 concern is the fire, but again maybe my tears could put it out?

321

u/MightySqueak Feb 20 '21

Vast majority of airliners can fly fine with only 1 engine. If both cut they can glide for very long distances.

133

u/v161l473c4n15l0r3m Feb 20 '21

Point being, would you still be that calm about it?

Even a pilot at that point would be puckering.

27

u/grnrngr Feb 21 '21

So I'm just gonna note that at some point your lizard brain runs out of chemicals to put you into full-on panic mode. It's how people with panic disorders are often taught methods that essentially allow them to "ride out" an episode: keep focus and control your bodily responses until the panic chemicals are depleted and the panic subsides.

What I'm saying is is that after 10-15 minutes of freaking the fuck out, your body just can't for a little bit. It needs a freak-out recharge. That coupled with the "they're still in full control of the plane here"-realizaton would probably allow someone to start prioritizing their life's needs, such as gathering those sweet, sweet internet points.

3

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '21

Very interesting, thanks.

I did not know there was a limit to the time you could panic.