The Boeing 747-400 was cruising 29,000 ft over the South China Sea the morning of July 25, 2008, when an emergency oxygen cylinder burst and ripped a hole through the right side of the forward cargo hold, causing a rapid depressurization of the aircraft. The flight crew conducted an emergency descent to 10,000 ft and diverted to Manila, Philippines, where they landed the aircraft safely despite damage to several navigation systems and the anti-skid braking system. Damage to the 747 was substantial, but none of the 350 passengers or 19 crewmembers was injured.
In a final report issued in November 2010, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said that the oxygen cylinder “had burst in such a way as to rupture the adjacent fuselage wall and be propelled upward, puncturing the cabin floor and impacting the frame and handle of the R2 door [the second main door on the right side of the cabin] and the overhead cabin paneling.”
Only the valve assembly was found; the remainder of t…
