I was wondering whether the extra radiation in the air now has an effect on the aluminum skin of airplanes? The fact that the Southwest Airlines plane developed a 5 foot long rip above the passenger compartment at 34,000 feet made me wonder this. They say the main cause of this is the number of compressions and decompressions a plane goes through and not the mileage. Because each time the skin stretches and contracts it only has a certain life that it can withstand of compressions and decompressions when it goes to altitude and returns down to land.
That must have been pretty impressive when some of the crew and passengers passed out from trying to breathe air from 34,000 feet high. I have climbed as a mountain climber to over 14,000 feet and even then I noticed anything above 11,000 as sort of a slightly mind altering experience while I was climbing. It must have been really hard on some people until the pilot brought it down to about 10,000 feet because otherwise those who passed out might not be around anymore if he hadn't because you can't put an air mask on when you are unconscious.
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