A former flight attendant turned bestselling thriller author has revealed a terrifying security weakness she fears could cause a nuclear apocalypse.
New York Times bestselling author TJ Newman, 41, got the idea for her latest book, ‘Worst Case Scenario,’ after asking pilots to share their scariest fears.
A pilot told him he often worried that a plane might crash into a nuclear power plant, which “planted the seed” for his third novel, Newman said.
He soon began investigating his fear to see if “his fears had any validity” and soon discovered that although reactors (the heart of nuclear power plants) are hardened, the material stored outside of them could cause a bigger disaster.
“The research terrified me, and it quickly became apparent that what became the premise of the book was entirely plausible,” he said.
New York Times bestselling author TJ Newman, 41, recently released her new thriller ‘Worst Case Scenario,’ a book about a terrifying security breach that causes a nuclear apocalypse.
It was soon realised that although the reactors (the heart of nuclear power plants) were reinforced, the material stored outside them could cause a greater disaster.
In the novel, which hits bookstores August 13, a massive plane crashes into a nuclear power plant near a small town in Waketa, Minnesota, killing around 300 passengers.
After the plane crashes, the plant appears to have survived most of the impact, but cracks and leaks are soon found where spent fuel rods are stored, leaving the entire Mississippi Valley under a nuclear threat.
Newman, who was a flight attendant for 10 years, said The Orange County Register that writing this book was not easy for her and that she often became emotional in the process.
“This time it wasn’t so difficult,” he says. “There are a lot of weak points in a nuclear power plant that I wasn’t aware of and I was very surprised,” he says.
Newman explained that through his research he discovered that the largest power plant in the United States is located near his home in Arizona.
He added that there are about 94 power plants across the country and that if something catastrophic were to happen at one, “the average person” would have no idea what to do.
Newman, who was a flight attendant for 10 years, told The Orange County Register that writing the book was not easy for her and that she often felt emotional during the process.
The novelist discovered that although many people think these plants are contained or covered in concrete, “some of the most dangerous materials are stored outside containment, in really unfortified structures.”
But the Phoenix-based writer told DailyMail.com that this is the most extreme event that could take place in the skies and that instead, mild turbulence is the most likely disturbance travelers will encounter.
First, he said, the first safety measure everyone can take is to buckle up.
While they may seem like a nuisance, Newman said it’s always “imperative to comply with crew member instructions” and that they’re on board “for one reason: safety.”
Continuing in the same vein, Newman added: ‘Familiarize yourself with the exits of that plane and the emergency equipment, so in the unlikely event of an evacuation, you won’t hesitate.
“You’ll know which way to go. The difference in seconds could save your life.”
The novelist discovered that although many people think these plants are contained or covered in concrete, “some of the most dangerous materials are stored outside containment in really unfortified structures.”
Asked why she decided to change the setting of her new book to the outside of an airplane rather than inside like her first two novels, ‘Falling’ and ‘Drowning,’ she explained that she wanted to get out of her comfort zone.
While he had reservations about the change, he said he has received “overwhelmingly positive” feedback so far.
“This book has left me stunned. It has been the most emotionally difficult book to write.
“And, without spoilers, I’m not always happy with how things end up for the characters. It breaks my heart. It hurts me, I’m sorry,” she said.
Newman added that her first two books really helped guide her as she created ‘Worst Case Scenario.’
Newman, who recently flew on a tour to promote his new novel, said he’s not really afraid of flying even though he writes extreme thrillers about horrific flights.
Her first two books are currently in the process of being turned into films: ‘Falling’, with Universal Pictures, and ‘Drowning’, with Warner Brothers.
He revealed that Paul Greengrass, creator of United 93 and Bourne Supremacy, is directing ‘Drowning’.
Newman, who recently flew out on a tour to promote his new novel, said he often finds himself wanting to help out the flight attendants.
“I still find it weird to just sit there and have a drink served to me instead of being served to them,” Newman admitted.
For now, though, he said he makes sure to get the window seat on flights to get the view and come up with more story ideas.