Could your cell phone cause a plane crash? (from TraveMole.com)
June 14, 2011
If you’re like most occasional or even frequent fliers, you probably don’t take seriously those warnings about shutting off cell phones. But perhaps you should — based on a new report.
“We found that the risk posed by these portable devices is higher than previously believed,” said Bill Strauss, who conducted a study with other researchers at Carnegie Mellon University.
No one is yet to blame any specific air crash on cell phones but some call the report by the International Transport Association “alarming” or a “wake up call.”
There’s been a proliferation of electronic devices on the market, with passengers becoming more inclined to ignore airline cell phone warnings. Even by accident, phones are often left on despite warnings.
Boeing engineer David Carson says interference occurs when signals hit highly sensitive electronic sensors hidden in the passenger area.