Patw28 Loc: PORT JERVIS, NY

Thanks for the nudge, Scott.
Background: "I recently rode AA coast-to-coast. I carried my Nikon D750 with 28-300mm lens in my regular Lowpro bag with me as carry-on baggage. I was the only person to handle the bag except for TSA carry- on inspection at the first leg of the trip. I've never had a problem with that inspection process.
I stowed the bag in the overhead compartment on each leg. It " never left my sight or care."

Upon arrival, both camera and lens were seriously damaged. The camera's VF displayed no data, just a black bar at the bottom of the image which otherwise functioned OK. All other camera function were OK.
I reset all menues and both ui's. No luck. Dried both items on the oven door even there was no dampness evident. (Well, it's worked before. 😉 NikonUSA spent about 45 minutes on it and finally asked me to send the camera in for repair.

The lens would zoom to about 50mm, then start to grab and finally resist any further extension. I was reluctant to force it any further. Again tech support could offer no help and I have sent it in for repair

I wonder if something new in either ground or air electronics could be responsible?
I've traveled quite a bit by commercial air with no problems. Never check the camera gear, always hand carried."

*******

Lens and camera have been at Nikon Repair since 22 Jan, I believe. Repair estimate is something like $550.00. No further thoughts as to cause though the consensus is that no public carrier nor electronics could be the culprit or we would be inundated with reports.

I'm reconciled to the suggestions that the combined damage could only come from a severe gravitational crash. I said I was the only one who handled the bag but my nephew, "Hugh the Brute", loaded it into the trunk, out of my sight.
Sherlock: "When all other explanations fail, accept the disagreeable remaining one."
Sigh!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

They call it "impact damage" at Canon. This is what keeps their repair department profitable. I had impact damage that cost a little bit more to fix then yours did when my Canon 5D Mark III came off of my lens as I was traversing from the Ponga to the Yacht in rough seas. I was holding my cameras by the lens barrels (2, one in each hand) and my finger pressed against the lens release button. The 5D Mark III landed on the deck of the yacht and started to slide toward the open sea so I kicked it to keep it from falling in the drink. The camera worked for the rest of my Galapagos tour, but the body had a big crack in it. I had it repaired when I returned to the States.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Patrick, I seem to remember a post almost exactly like this one about 2-3 weeks ago. Was that yours, as well?
--Bob

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The overwhelming odds seem to be that "Hugh the Brute" figures into this. Of course, you may have hit something with your hand carry that you didn't realize. Wouldn't necessarily take a big hit to cause damage. The only exposure to anything unusual would be the x-ray scanner at the security checkpoint, and that is not going to cause the damage you describe.
What problems did Nikon find? Did you ask them what could have caused them? They can probably give you a better answer then we can.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

It was.
It had almost the exact same title and ran to four pages.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thanks, Mac. It's good to know my memory is still working.
--Bob

winterrose Loc: Kyneton, Victoria, Australia

There is nothing in the airline system that would cause such damage so I'd be having a word with Hugh the Brute about how to treat your expensive stuff.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

Though I did not see the first post you refer to, it appears to me this is a re-post with the addition of an explanation (notice the row of asterisk between)

Dan Copeland Loc: Hamilton Ontario Canada

Vibrations in the Overhead probably loosened a screw in the lens. Had this happen to me .Constant vibration over a few hours can do a lot of harm.

bcmink Loc: Monona, WI

While it is theoretically possible for leaky or malfunctioning MLS avionics to damage digital camera sensors the likelihood is pretty much non existent. Modern commercial aircraft use ILS and GPS guidance and landing systems versus MLS. Even if commercial MLS landing systems were used, the system would have to be seriously damaged in order to cause damage. The array would have to have broken shields and in general be way off axis.

I can assure you that the aircraft you were flying on did not have a Microwave Landing System.

Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

When in an aircraft, I always keep the lens off the camera.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Good idea. I'd never thought of that, but plan to fly in the future. Hopefully I can keep my camera bag at my feet.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Never had a problem traveling with camera equipment. Just got back from
Peru and everything is perfect. However I never put any camera equipment in the overhead compartment. Bad idea. My backpack goes under the seat in front of me. I've watched people jam their luggage in the compartment above. No thanks. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I carry extra insurance but I would hate to loose my favorite camera and lens. Best of luck.

Vinman

Just got back from Disney with my D750 and Sigma 24-70 and Tamron 70-200.
Went thru screening, x-rays and stored in overhead compartment. NO PROBLEM!

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

May be better to keep it on your lap to provide cushioning against the vibration. Seem the floor would vibrate as much as the overhead.