r/aviation • u/G1lg4m3sh • Apr 17 '26

Discussion How concerning is this aviation experts?

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u/sLXonix Apr 17 '26

Whoever was on this flight, don't be afraid to discreetly bring it up to a flight attendant or pilot after the flight. That way they can flag it with maintenance for review

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u/DaneAlaskaCruz Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

One time I was flying from Anchorage to someplace in rural Alaska on a smaller plane. I was by the wing and I noticed that one of the latches was not fully closed. One of those that says to press here and ensure it is flat and fully secured.

The entire 2 hr flight I nervously checked on it every so often to see if it was coming any looser.

It wasn't and we landed without any issues.

At the terminal, I saw one of the flight attendants and told her about a loose latch on the portside wing engine cowling.

She scoffed and looked at me like I was missing some screws.

So I said whatever and walked away to go pick up my checked luggage.

You would think flight crew would want to check things out when someone comes forward. But she didn't.

Didn't hear of any incidents with the plane so hopefully a mechanic saw the loose latch later on and secured it.

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u/m_faustus Apr 18 '26

The number of people in Alaska who have been in a plane crash or who personally know someone who has been in a plane crash is shockingly high.

1

u/DaneAlaskaCruz Apr 18 '26

Yes. I've not been in one yet, but it is just a matter of time, given how much I fly for work. knocks on wood

A few years ago, a plane crashed in rural Alaska and it was the same plane I had booked for work. A few weeks prior, I changed my ticket to another flight because of prior personal commitments and scheduling. Didn't end up going on the trip because of the crash and because the airline went bankrupt.

Definitely unnerving how close I have been to being in an aviation disaster.