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[SmZA]

QANTAS had its own dramatic ''snakes on a plane'' episode when a three-metre python joined passengers on an early morning flight to Papua New Guinea.
But unlike Samuel L. Jackson's 2006 fictional Hollywood blockbuster in which a nest of vipers causes death and destruction on a jet, this reptile was concerned only with self-preservation.

QF191 was about 20 minutes into its 6.15am flight from Cairns to Port Moresby on Thursday when a woman pointed outside the plane and told cabin crew: ''There's a snake on the wing … There's its head and if you look closely you can see a fraction of its body.''

While some passengers scoffed in disbelief, she was correct.

Rick Shine, a snake expert at the University of Sydney, said the specimen was a ''very uncomfortable'' scrub python, the longest snake in Australia.

''There's no way it could be anything else,'' he said. ''They're common in north Queensland. They're ambush predators and if there are rodents anywhere nearby, they'll most likely be in the vicinity. They often find their way into tight ceiling spaces in houses, although I've never heard of one on a plane until now.''

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-incidents/high-drama-qantas-pythons-flying-circus-20130110-2ciu0.html#ixzz2Hc4J2ExB

 

[T Ghost]

Did it survive the flight?

 

[Thai]

Mr Weber, who videoed the ultimately futile struggle, said both pilots took it in turns to visit the rear of the plane and watch as, several times, the snake hauled itself to safety, only to be dragged out again. As it slowly lost its grip, the wind repeatedly whipped it against the side of the plane, spraying blood across the engine.

Poor dude was just trying to hitch hike to a different country.

 

[sangreal]

Poor dude was just trying to hitch hike to a different country.

that sounds awful. explains all the red splatter in the OP

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

Poor dude was just trying to hitch hike to a different country.

That sounds horridly brutal. Poor thing.

 

[Himynameischris]

Wait did it die or not, because at the end it says that when they landed it was still moving...or did it die after?? Horrible way to go...

 

[BanShunsaku]

Poor dude was just trying to hitch hike to a different country.

 

[Tideas]

err guys come on it's obvious the snake died

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Did it survive the flight?

I doubt it, the red on the wing looks like where its been smashed/rubbing against the engine. Got fucked up.

 

[ahoyhoy]

And watching for
Snakes on a wing.

 

[Alucrid]

I feel bad for the snake.

 

[lazybones18]

Talk about an ill-fated tribute to the director of Snakes on a Plane who died recently

 

[Menelaus]

Did it survive the flight?

Read the article.

 

[MisterNugNug]

I doubt it, the red on the wing looks like where its been smashed/rubbing against the engine. Got fucked up.

Plus they're cold-blooded right? And the wind chill alone flying would kill anything.

 

[Soul Beat]

Bravest snake I know.

 

[Jobiensis]

Short flight, large reptile with a good portion of the body protected from the cold, not surprising it survived the temps.

Doubt it survived the beating and people. It would need to be sent back to Aus, probably easier to euthanize it, especially considering its condition.

Also, scrub pythons are cool.

 

[victreeb3l]

poor snake

 

[Neuromancer]

That snake was a goddamned hero.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Did it survive the flight?

Doubt it would have survived those altitudes anyways.

 

[2MF]

Did they do an emergency landing ? I read the article and that's not clarified.

Wouldn't this warrant an emergency landing, both for the sake of the animal (as much as snakes creep me out they're still living beings) and the safety of the plane and passengers?

 

[GoldenEye 007]

Did they do an emergency landing ? I read the article and that's not clarified.

Wouldn't this warrant an emergency landing, both for the sake of the animal (as much as snakes creep me out they're still living beings) and the safety of the plane and passengers?

Eh, jet planes are built to withstand bird impacts directly into the engines and other hazards. I doubt a snake would do much as far as safety.

As far as the well-being of the snake, it does suck it died, but it probably isn't worth diverting a plane and doing an emergency landing over one. That's just my own sick opinion, though...

 

[injurai]

wait... i can't tell if it died... they never say.

Seems like it survived till landing at least...?

 

[FlyinJ]

And watching for
Snakes on a wing.

lol! I get it.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

I always fret about the idea of a plane opening up and I getting sucked out of the plane. Then I remind myself, it's terribly cold and the jolt of flying out of an airplane at 400-500mph would probably kill you. So, nothing to worry about.

 

[Aesius]

How badass would it be if the snake survived the journey.

 

[SmZA]

Read the article.

To be fair, the article is confusing toward the end and I had to read it a few times to work out that the snake died.

 

[Philia]

I doubt it, the red on the wing looks like where its been smashed/rubbing against the engine. Got fucked up.

Whoa. I did not notice that. I've saw it before but I thought it was some old decor but man that's... yeah.

 

[Alebrije]

Snake....snake.......snake !!!!!!!!!

 

[speculawyer]

He wins a snake Darwin award.

 

[volpone]

I really can't place what I'm looking at here. What part of the plane is this snake hitting? Aren't wings typically flat?

 

[BertramCooper]

The snake who dreamed of flying...

 

[Dan]

Even the snakes are desperate to get out of Australia!

 

[DonMigs85]

I wonder if it woulda survived if it just fell into the drink and swam off.

 

[Jobiensis]

I really can't place what I'm looking at here. What part of the plane is this snake hitting? Aren't wings typically flat?

Back end of a prop motor mounted on the wing. I believe it is a Bombardier Q400 (DH4).

 

[daw840]

I wonder if it woulda survived if it just fell into the drink and swam off.

No.

Those planes generally cruise at ~500 knots airspeed.

That's wind of 575+ miles per hour.

The snake wouldn't have even come close to surviving.

edit: Though I don't know what kind of plane it is. If it's a prop, then it's significantly slower than that. Doesn't matter though, still death.

 

[Jobiensis]

No.

Those planes generally cruise at ~500 knots airspeed.

That's wind of 575+ miles per hour.

The snake wouldn't have even come close to surviving.

edit: Though I don't know what kind of plane it is. If it's a prop, then it's significantly slower than that. Doesn't matter though, still death.

Winds of 400km/h. Yes, it is a prop.

Doesn't matter, anything it could have done differently might have been more successful. During ascent the plane would be going much slower. Or if it stayed in the landing gear compartment (and not get squished) it may have fared better.

 

[DonMigs85]

Back end of a prop motor mounted on the wing. I believe it is a Bombardier Q400 (DH4).

Over 400 MPH then. Poor snakey

 

[volpone]

Back end of a prop motor mounted on the wing. I believe it is a Bombardier Q400 (DH4).

Thanks. Now my brains can make sense of this.

 

[Jobiensis]

Over 400 MPH then. Poor snakey

Article lists wind speed at 400km/h.

 

[DonMigs85]

Article lists wind speed at 400km/h.

Perhaps it was going slower. Wikipedia says typical cruising speed is over 400 Mph/600 km/h

 

[shinobi602]

 

[daw840]

Trying to figure out what kind of airplane this was....


I don't think it was a DH4

The only prop Qantas flies is a BAE146 and it's a top wing configuration....hmmm that actually could be it. The angle of the pic kind of looks like the wing is high.

Regardless, as close as it is to the ground in that pic it definitely wasn't near cruising speed. Wouldn't matter though, the snake never had a chance.

 

[Jobiensis]

Trying to figure out what kind of airplane this was....


I don't think it was a DH4

The only prop Qantas flies is a BAE146 and it's a top wing configuration....hmmm that actually could be it. The angle of the pic kind of looks like the wing is high.

Regardless, as close as it is to the ground in that pic it definitely wasn't near cruising speed. Wouldn't matter though, the snake never had a chance.

It's pretty easy to find the plane if you know the flight number, and it IS a DH4. Looks like the flight is handled by another airline.

http://adioso.com/flight/qantas-flight-qf191

 

[daw840]

Not sure where you are getting your info, but it's pretty easy to find the plane if you know the flight number, and it IS a DH4.

http://adioso.com/flight/qantas-flight-qf191

I just looked up the Qantas fleet. That settles that then!

 

[yogloo]

AUSTRALIA!!!

 

[Steelrain]

Dumbass snake. Darwin Award right there.

 

[Jibbajabbawockky]

Just think if you were on the ground and had a big python like that come crashing down on you.

 

[Rhomega Beta]

 

[The Elite]

I always bring a big python on a plane...


... in my pants.

 

[TheGrue]

And watching for
Snakes on a wing.

Great Pink Floyd album.