Unresponsive Plane Crashed in Jamaica; Pilots Suffered Cerebral Hypoxia to Blame?
- Staff Reporter
- Sep 06, 2014 04:59 AM EDT
- Sign up to receive the lastest news from LATINONE
-
An unresponsive American plane has crashed just off the coast of Jamaica four hours after air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft's pilot.
According to NORAD or the North American Air Defense Authority, U.S. Military fighter jets were sent to investigate the unresponsive small private jet, a Socata TBM-700, as it flew over the eastern U.S., reported The Guardian.
Experts suspect cerebral hypoxia is to blame for the unresponsive airplane. Hypoxia occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen and results in one becoming unconscious.
The plane, which took off Friday morning from Rochester, New York, was reportedly heading to Naples, Florida. The Wall Street Journal noted, "The plane strayed hundreds of miles from its filed flight plan, heading out over the Atlantic Ocean on a straight-line course that took it over the Bahamas before it entered Cuban airspace, where NORAD said the fighter jets broke off pursuit."
The dispatched fighter pilots reported not being able to see into the plane as the windows were fogged. The plane, flying at an altitude of 7,600 meters, would require oxygen inside the cabin. NORAD indicated over Twitter that the pilot may have suffered from a lack of oxygen.
As planes move to higher altitudes, oxygen is reduced thus, "Cerebral hypoxia can happen to pilots if they reach too high of an altitude or if there is a loss in cabin pressure. It can also be the result of carbon monoxide poisoning or breathing in too much smoke from a fire," explained CNN.
During the onset of hypoxia, individuals will first find themselves breathing faster, trying to get more oxygen. Eventually, they will begin to feel lightheaded or dizzy. Coordination is then affected with one's vision and judgment becoming impaired, CNN added.
"Brain cells are particularly vulnerable to a lack of oxygen. Without it they can die off and cause permanent brain damage," summarized CNN.
It is still unknown how many passengers were in the plane when it crashed, but city officials reported that married couple, Larry and Jane Glazer of Rochester, were among them.
"Mr. Glazer, a real-estate developer, was a major player in the redevelopment of faded industrial properties in downtown Rochester," said city officials, per WSJ.
"I join the residents of Rochester during this difficult week in mourning the loss of Larry and Jane Glazer in today's tragic plane crash," quoted the Washington Post of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
"The Glazers were innovative and generous people who were committed to revitalizing downtown Rochester and making the city they loved a better place for all. I offer my deepest condolences to the Glazers' family and friends during this difficult and trying time."
- Sign up to receive the lastest news from LATINONE
-
