This post is for my certificate III students at AMES.
This is a news article that I read on the internet today about a near mess. This means that a big accident was very likely to happen but it didin't.
The co-pilot didn't mean to make a mistake and paniked while he tried to correct the mistake because he thought he, and everyone on the plane, was going to die. The main pilot was in the toilet at the time when the near mess took place.
The plane was saved by the main pilot who used a secret code to open the door and take charge of the plane. It's a good idea to read the vocabulary first before you click the link.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/8416532/panicky-pilot-caused-jet-plunge/
Here is some help with the vocabulary in the text:
nosedive = the plane was heading down very fast (almost vertical)
terrifying = an experience when everyone felt frightened and very scared.
the control column = the main thing that controls how fast or slow that plane travels. It also controls if the plane goes up or down. It looks like the thing that you use in your car to change the gear.
accidently = he didn't mean to do so
reveal = say = indicate
inquiry = investigation (trying to find answers to a problem)
clumsy = someone who doesn't have skills to do a job
panicked = felt very scared and thought he was going to die
captain = the person in charge of flying a plane
co-pilot = the second in command on an airplane
cockpit = the place where the captain and the co-captain stay to control the plane. It is not allowed for passengers to enter the cockpit. The door is always closed and protected
plung = go down very fast like a person who dives into the water
shout = speak very loudly
liquor = alcohol
aisle = the part of the plane where passengers walk to reach their seats
commotion = noisy disturbance
according to the report = the report says ............
near-disaster = near mess
due to = because of
adjust = change the position of something to make it better
struggle = do something with great difficultry
opposit force = one person pushing forward and another person pushing backward
panicking = feeling very disturbed = feeling very worried = feeling he or she is going to die
probably = maybe
appropriate = suitable
crew = the people who work on the airplane to look after passengers
flight attendants = crew
conclude something = end something
calm = quiet
air pocket = a place where a plane loses balance
leaked report = a report that was made known in a secret way
