Which classification describes a loss of cabin pressure where air expels from the cabin in a rush?

• A. Sudden
• B. Gradual
• C. Intermittent
• D. Explosive

Answer: (D)

Rate of depressurization is the key. When cabin pressure is lost abruptly due to a breach, the air inside the pressurized cabin is forced out to the much lower outside pressure, creating a rapid, violent outward flow. This swift, forceful release is what “explosive decompression” describes. It’s characterized by a sudden rush of air, loud release, and a rapid drop in cabin altitude, posing immediate hazards like hypoxia and potential barotrauma. The other terms don’t fit because they imply slower, more gradual or irregular leakage, whereas an air rush is the hallmark of explosive decompression.