[reddit_clone]

Considering all those scary scenarios, what happened was probably the most favourable outcome. It could have been a major disaster hundred different ways..

[mikeyouse]

It sure could have -- the plane was still climbing which puts that plug door almost directly in line with the horizontal stabilizers;

https://i.cbc.ca/1.7077373.1704733027!/fileImage/httpImage/g...

[kayfox]

Not as much when taking into account the actual direction of the wind, which would be more inline with the aircraft.