In-flight upset - 154 km west of Learmonth, WA, 7 October 2008,

After the passengers disembarked, there were some difficulties in the liaisonbetween the organisations that were involved in managing and processing thepassengers. Those issues were reviewed during a multi-agency debrief after theoccurrence that was coordinated by the Westralia Airports Corporation andincluded representatives from the private, government and non-governmentorganisations that were involved in the emergency response. As the identifiedproblems were not relevant to the safety-related focus of the ATSB investigation,they are not discussed further in this report.4.3 Cabin examinations4.3.1 Post-accident inspectionAn inspection of the aircraft’s interior found significant damage to the overheadfittings (passenger service units, overhead stowage compartments and ceilingpanels), mainly in the centre and rear sections of the passenger cabin. The damagewas consistent with impact by persons or objects.There was evidence of damage or impact to overhead fittings above one seat in thefront section, 16 seats in the centre section (9% of the seats), and 27 seats in the rearsection of the cabin (22% of the seats). Examples of some of the more significantdamage are shown in Figure 48 and Figure 49.None of the ceiling panels above the cabin aisle-ways in the front section exhibitedany damage or movement from their fixed position. However, 11 of the 28 ceilingpanels in the centre section, three of the six ceiling panels in the toilet area betweenthe centre and rear sections, and 14 of the 22 ceiling panels in the rear sectionshowed some damage or movement. Examples of some of the more significantdamage are shown in Figure 50 and Figure 51.The doors of three of the overhead compartments in the centre section and two ofthe doors in the rear section were not attached, and a small number of other doors inthese two sections were partially dislodged.Damage to overhead panels and fittings was evident in two of the toilets betweenthe centre and rear sections, and one of the toilets at the rear of the aircraft.Other notable findings from the cabin inspection included that:• There was no apparent damage to any of the seat belts. A more detailedexamination of a sample of seat belts was subsequently conducted(section 4.3.2).• The seat squabs (horizontal cushions or pads that a passenger sits on) for threeof the seats in the centre section and two of the seats in the rear section were noton the seats. Passengers advised that the squabs became detached during the firstupset.• Oxygen masks had deployed from above nine of the seats, and also in the reargalley. These masks were deployed during the first upset as a result of impactdamage.• Some of the cabin portable oxygen cylinders and some of the aircraft’s first aidkits had been deployed. Cabin crew advised that this equipment was used fortreating the passengers.- 168 -