How oxygen masks brought down a plane
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Reactions Science Videos | November 24, 2021
When oxygen masks drop from the airplane ceiling, they’re not connected to a big tank of gas. Instead, a chemical reaction supplies oxygen to passengers. But in 1996, this safety feature brought a plane crashing down into the Florida Everglades, killing all 110 people aboard.
Sources:
Background on the disaster
Amount of oxygen at 30,000 feet
Size and shape of chemical oxygen generators
Canister components (Part I)
Decomposition reaction
NTSB accident report
How airplane oxygen generators work
Why the O2 mask might smell smokey
The role of barium peroxide in chemical oxygen generators
Amount of oxygen generated
Oxygen candle use on submarines and ISS
FAA Accident lessons learned
Contractor found guilty, mechanic still on the run(Part I)
Oxygen jar experiment
Fire melted aluminum components
Safety regulations changed after the crash
Produced by the American Chemical Society.
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