[SystemSafety] Hazard file: Wrong-pocketing a cyanide pill

[Les Chambers]

Hi all

The following is for your hazard log (especially if you are involved in
dangerous duties)

The US commenced U-2 spy flights over Russia in 1956. The U-2 was an unarmed
reconnaissance aircraft designed to operate above 70,000 feet. Although U-2
aircraft were visible to Russian radar the probability of being shot down
was non-existent at that time as Russian missiles and fighter aircraft could
not operate at that altitude. The major threat was from an engine flameout
at high altitude. All pilots therefore carried a cyanide pill should they
wish to avoid capture and torture by the KGB. Use of the pill was optional. 

Approaching Moscow at 73,000 feet, Carmen Vito had a close call. The ground
crew had put his cyanide pill in the wrong pocket: the right breast pocket
of his coveralls. It was supposed to be in an inside pocket. Unknowingly
Vito had dropped a fist full of lemon-flavoured cough drops into the same
pocket as the pill. As Moscow loomed in his drift site Vito felt his throat
go dry. Who can blame him? This was his first flight. So he reached into his
pocket for a cough drop, grabbed the cyanide pill, popped it into his mouth
and began to suck on it. He quickly realised his mistake and spat it out.
Had he bit down he would have died instantly and crashed right into Red
Square. Imagine the furore. Recovering from that would have made the Edward
Snowden fallout look like a minor issue.

Source: Skunkworks, Ben Rich.

 

more hazardous event scenarios at:
http://www.chambers.com.au/forum/post_summary.php?frm=3

 

Cheers

Les

-------------------------------------------------
Les Chambers
Director
Chambers & Associates Pty Ltd
 <http://www.chambers.com.au> www.chambers.com.au

Blog:  <http://www.systemsengineeringblog.com/>
www.systemsengineeringblog.com

Twitter:  <http://www.twitter.com/chambersles> @ChambersLes
M: 0412 648 992
Intl M: +61 412 648 992
Ph: +61 7 3870 4199
Fax: +61 7 3870 4220
 <mailto:les at chambers.com.au> les at chambers.com.au
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