Unintended discharge on flight to Charlotte?

fred · 03-27-2008, 08:58 PM

It appears that the handgun that discharged on the flight into Charlotte was an H&K USP .40 cal. Anybody care to comment? H&K's website describes the weapon as being adaptable from combination safety/decocker to safety only to decocker only. I've never handled one or seen one close up so I don't know what the implications are.

elmer fudd · 03-27-2008, 09:01 PM

so it was on a plane and it fired!!!!!! i didnt think they would let you ship bullets on a plane with your gun!!!!!!

just_a_car · 03-27-2008, 09:07 PM

This was already posted here:

fred · 03-28-2008, 06:59 AM

Yes, I know it was posted. I could understand why a Glock might discharge if it were put back in a holster and the trigger caught something (safe trigger notwithstanding). What I am asking is specific to the H&K: is there something about the design that would possibly cause such a discharge or is it human error?

LarryO1970 · 03-28-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmer fudd

so it was on a plane and it fired!!!!!! i didnt think they would let you ship bullets on a plane with your gun!!!!!!

Elmer... it wasn't being shipped, it was a pilot with a permit to carry on the airline. Supposedly, it fired when he was stowing it.

Problem is, his finger should have been nowhere near the trigger and the safety should have been on.

punkndisorderly · 03-28-2008, 09:35 AM

If I'm not mistaken, the H&K USP's can be had in SA/DA, or DAO and can be carried cocked and locked for single action first shot. I would be interested to know how it was that the discharge happened (but have a feeling the media won't go further than "gun on plane go bang"). Perhaps it was in a bag, sans holster, and the combination of a little pushing and an item jammed within the trigger guard was the cause.

rfc357 · 03-28-2008, 10:37 AM

My guess is, the pilot pulled the trigger......

I investigated several "unintentional" discharges while I was in the military, and all involved a finger on the trigger when it should not have been.

samuel · 03-28-2008, 11:25 AM

How could you tell with pilots flying planes while intoxicated and the other day two pilots flew by their airport and had to be awakened to land.I dont necessarily think terrorist,s are the only danger to flying. sam.

TXplt · 03-28-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samuel

How could you tell with pilots flying planes while intoxicated and the other day two pilots flew by their airport and had to be awakened to land.I dont necessarily think terrorist,s are the only danger to flying. sam.

Needless to say, I find this mildly offensive. Believe it or not, most pilots ARE careful and consciencious professionals.

captsquirrel · 07-12-2008, 09:19 PM

Im with TXplt. The most dangerous part about flying is the drive to the airport. I much prefer being up there surrounded by professionals. I'm sure you all see the dimwits we have to share the roads with.

Shaun · 07-12-2008, 09:32 PM

These pilots are required to unholster the firearm and stow it during the flight. This is the problem the pilots need personal control by keeping it on thier person. The cause was the trigger being touched but the reason is the ridiculous rule that the pilots must handle it when they have no need too.

I am with the other pilots here all of use have proven the level of responsibility we have by flying our hardware safely. The most dangerous part is the drive to the field with all the idiots on the road. When I am up on a long trip the 45 is in my flight bag if its a short one and I decide to holster it the gun is on the hip. But in my Cessna all passengers MUST be armed as it is my way of saying to the FAA and the DHS that armed passengers and pilots make for safe transport.

Windwalker · 07-13-2008, 07:05 AM

I don't fly commercial any more as it is too much hassle in my opinion. However, Shaun, I agree with your ideas and would fly with you anywhere.

LefthandShooter · 07-13-2008, 07:19 AM

I've never flown commercial but agree that if someone was trying to take over a plane by breaking down the cockpit door I'd want the pilkot with the sidearm on his/her side, instead of stowed. Seconds may mean lives saved!
Shaun: I'd fly with you anywhere also. I know a few pilots and everyone of them are very disciplined and trustworthy.

captsquirrel · 07-13-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun

...But in my Cessna all passengers MUST be armed as it is my way of saying to the FAA and the DHS that armed passengers and pilots make for safe transport.

I knew Shaun and I would get along. I'll fly with ya or form up on your wing any day.

XJTFLYR · 09-30-2008, 08:11 PM

The problem is with the locking holsters the TSA gives us. If you do not make sure your wepon is seated correctly, you run the danger of placing the lock ahead of the trigger.

This pilot was careless. End of story.

03-27-2008, 08:58 PM	#1
fred Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NC, USA Posts: 184	Unintended discharge on flight to Charlotte? It appears that the handgun that discharged on the flight into Charlotte was an H&K USP .40 cal. Anybody care to comment? H&K's website describes the weapon as being adaptable from combination safety/decocker to safety only to decocker only. I've never handled one or seen one close up so I don't know what the implications are.

03-27-2008, 09:01 PM	#2
elmer fudd Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: pheasant country USA! Posts: 1,947	so it was on a plane and it fired!!!!!! i didnt think they would let you ship bullets on a plane with your gun!!!!!! __________________ spur hard, shoot straight, party hardy!

03-27-2008, 09:07 PM	#3
just_a_car Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 3,522	This was already posted here: __________________

07-12-2008, 09:32 PM	#11
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,592 Images: 1	These pilots are required to unholster the firearm and stow it during the flight. This is the problem the pilots need personal control by keeping it on thier person. The cause was the trigger being touched but the reason is the ridiculous rule that the pilots must handle it when they have no need too. I am with the other pilots here all of use have proven the level of responsibility we have by flying our hardware safely. The most dangerous part is the drive to the field with all the idiots on the road. When I am up on a long trip the 45 is in my flight bag if its a short one and I decide to holster it the gun is on the hip. But in my Cessna all passengers MUST be armed as it is my way of saying to the FAA and the DHS that armed passengers and pilots make for safe transport. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

07-13-2008, 07:05 AM	#12
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,596	I don't fly commercial any more as it is too much hassle in my opinion. However, Shaun, I agree with your ideas and would fly with you anywhere. __________________ America: Love it and protect it or leave it

03-28-2008, 06:59 AM	#4
fred Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NC, USA Posts: 184	Yes, I know it was posted. I could understand why a Glock might discharge if it were put back in a holster and the trigger caught something (safe trigger notwithstanding). What I am asking is specific to the H&K: is there something about the design that would possibly cause such a discharge or is it human error?

03-28-2008, 09:35 AM	#6
punkndisorderly Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 144	If I'm not mistaken, the H&K USP's can be had in SA/DA, or DAO and can be carried cocked and locked for single action first shot. I would be interested to know how it was that the discharge happened (but have a feeling the media won't go further than "gun on plane go bang"). Perhaps it was in a bag, sans holster, and the combination of a little pushing and an item jammed within the trigger guard was the cause.

03-28-2008, 10:37 AM	#7
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	My guess is, the pilot pulled the trigger...... I investigated several "unintentional" discharges while I was in the military, and all involved a finger on the trigger when it should not have been.

03-28-2008, 11:25 AM	#8
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	How could you tell with pilots flying planes while intoxicated and the other day two pilots flew by their airport and had to be awakened to land.I dont necessarily think terrorist,s are the only danger to flying. sam.

07-12-2008, 09:19 PM	#10
captsquirrel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: S. Nevada Posts: 410	Im with TXplt. The most dangerous part about flying is the drive to the airport. I much prefer being up there surrounded by professionals. I'm sure you all see the dimwits we have to share the roads with.

07-13-2008, 07:19 AM	#13
LefthandShooter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In A House in NE Ohio! Posts: 1,472	I've never flown commercial but agree that if someone was trying to take over a plane by breaking down the cockpit door I'd want the pilkot with the sidearm on his/her side, instead of stowed. Seconds may mean lives saved! Shaun: I'd fly with you anywhere also. I know a few pilots and everyone of them are very disciplined and trustworthy. __________________ A dead bird is still a dead bird.

09-30-2008, 08:11 PM	#15
XJTFLYR Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 50	The problem is with the locking holsters the TSA gives us. If you do not make sure your wepon is seated correctly, you run the danger of placing the lock ahead of the trigger. This pilot was careless. End of story.