NZ's (PM) Clark hurt in mid-air scare

[MaineDem]

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has been left badly bruised after an aircraft she was travelling in was forced to make an emergency landing.

The twin-engined Piper Aztec's door blew open when it hit turbulence at 8,000 feet (2,440m).

Two policemen tried to hold the door as the plane dived then landed at a nearby airstrip.

...

The prime minister's plane was flying from the tourist town of Rotorua in central North Island to the capital, Wellington, when the trouble started.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4439341.stm

[Boomer]

1. Hasn't she been critical of Bush?

If so, I'd advise her to avoid small planes.

[donsu]

2. ditto

nt

[bluedeminredstate]

3. Indeed she has!

Quite.

[brettdale]

5. yes she doesnt like Bush!!!!!!!!

Yes our prime minster doesnt like Bush, she refused to send troops to iraq to fight, because she didnt believe in the edivence of Wmd's, Our army was sent to be medics for iraqi civilans.

She also said in a speech and i quote

"The Iraq war would of not had happen if Al Gore had of been President"

[Kenergy]

16. I'm glad she's ok...

New Zealand is a truly great country. I had the pleasure and
fortune of living there for 6 years when I was younger and
was very impressed with the people there.

[daleo]

4. And there was the Israeli spy expulsion.

I think she has made a few interesting enemies.

[Moderator]

6. kick to combine

[lovuian]

Plane with New Zealand Prime Minister on board plunges

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=a80c88f1f23172f0

The New Zealand Herald Wednesday 13th April, 2005

The Prime Minister's plane made an emergency landing Wednesday morning after a mid-air scare.

Helen Clark said she wondered whether she would 'live or die' when a door on her chartered aircraft came open during turbulence above the Kapiti coast.

The Piper Aztec reportedly lost altitude rapidly after the door flung open and diverted to Paraparaumu Airport, near Wellington, where it landed at 9am.

Helen Clark told National Radio she was sitting in the rear of the plane reading her papers on the journey from Rotorua to Wellington when they struck turbulence without any warning.

more...

Very Interesting another air plane problem!!!

[Cha]

7. Glad this turned out to be

a success story, Helen Clark!

[sonicx]

8. The polls say she will probably be reelected.

Glad she's Ok.

[brettdale]

17. Labour will win

Yes, she will be reelected for a third term in our election this year.

[PA Mamma]

9. Thanks

I have a good girlfriend in NZ - I will send this to her right now- thanks

[lovuian]

11. I love New Zealand!!! Your Welcome!!!

I wonder how the Prime Minister was in alignment with the Bush regime!!!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. I doubt there's any conspiracy here.

Piper Aztecs are small airplanes with doors that if you don't latch them right (or, apparently, if turbulence momentarily bends the airframe slightly) can pop open. Normally this isn't that big a deal because Aztecs aren't pressurized in the first place, and the door will not fly open even if it unlatches, and nobody will get sucked out. The door just bangs against the door frame and makes a lot of noise -- but it won't close, either, because of the airflow across it. There will be some increased drag, as well. Although it's scary for passengers it's not life-threatening. You just land and latch it.

[karlrschneider]

12. An opened door on SOME small planes can be serious but not usually.

Pipers tend to be more susceptible to this generally minor incident
because of their horizontal stabilizer design but normally it's not a major cause for concern. But "2 people..." holding it? I don't think so. :eyes:

I've had doors pop open several times in my 6700 hours and it was never a big deal...

[ngGale]

13. Hummmmmmm.......n/t

[sonicx]

14. I have a Q. Is it true she is agnostic?

[dArKeR]

15. Happen to have flight maintenance in Texas?