Right Wing Fairing Missing, Large Hole In Fuselage Behind

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are on their way to the Philippines, to find out what caused an apparent explosive decompression incident onboard a Boeing 747-400 operated by Australian flag carrier Qantas.

The Associated Press reports those onboard Flight 30, from Hong Kong to Melbourne, heard a loud bang shortly after takeoff. The plane's flight crew then noticed the cabin was losing pressure, and diverted the flight to Manila, where the jetliner made a safe landing at 11:15 am local time.

As the flight's 346 passengers and 19 crewmembers exited the plane, those on the ground discovered the 747's right leading edge wing-to-body fairing was missing, and a five-foot hole was present in the cargo area fuselage wall behind it. Luggage could be seen jutting from the hole.

The AP cites a report by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), quoting pilot John Francis Bartels, that evidence suggests "explosive decompression," apparently caused by a technical malfunction. Terrorism is not suspected.

Passengers described the first moments after hearing the loud noise in-flight. Michael Rahill compared the sound to "like a tire exploding, but more violently." Fellow passenger Marina Scaffidi added there was "wind swirling around the plane and some condensation."

The plane's flight crew initiated an emergency descent to 10,000 feet MSL as oxygen masks deployed from overhead. "The plane kept going down not too fast, but it was descending," said Scaffidi. "No one was very hysterical," though passengers did applaud after the plane's wheels touched down.

Qantas will send another plane to transport passengers to Melbourne, the airline said.

NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker has designated senior air investigator Joe Sedor as the US Accredited Representative, and he will be accompanied by a technical specialist in the area of airworthiness.

The US team will also include technical advisors from the FAA and Boeing. Qantas will also send its own investigative team.

FMI: www.qantas.com, www.ntsb.gov