Flight attendant turned author reveals terrible security vulnerability she fears could trigger nuclear apocalypse

A former flight attendant turned successful thriller writer has revealed a terrifying security flaw that she fears could trigger a nuclear apocalypse.

TJ Newman, 41, a New York Times bestselling author, got the idea for her most recent book, “Worst Case Scenario,” after asking pilots to share their worst fears.

A pilot told her that he often worried that a plane would crash into a nuclear power plant. According to Newman, that was the inspiration for her third novel.

She soon began investigating his fears to see if there was “any truth to his fears.” She soon learned that while reactors, the heart of nuclear power plants, are robust, the material stored outside them could cause a major disaster.

“The research scared the hell out of me, but it quickly became clear that the premise of the book is perfectly plausible,” she said.

She soon discovered that although reactors – the heart of nuclear power plants – are hardened, the material stored outside them can cause a major disaster

In the novel, which hits stores on August 13, a massive jetliner crashes into a nuclear power plant near the small town of Waketa, Minnesota, killing about 300 passengers.

After the plane crash, the plant appears to have survived most of the impact, but cracks and leaks are soon discovered where spent fuel rods are stored, leaving the entire Mississippi Valley at risk of nuclear attack.

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.

“It wasn’t that hard this time,” she said. “There are a lot of vulnerabilities in a nuclear power plant that I just wasn’t aware of, and that really shocked me,” she said.

Newman explained that through her research she discovered that the largest power plant in the US is located near her home in Arizona.

She added that there are about 94 power plants in the country and that if something disastrous happened at one of them, “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 found herself emotional during the process.

The novelist found that while many people think of these plants as being enclosed or covered in concrete, “some of the most dangerous materials are stored outside the confinement, in structures that are not actually reinforced.”

The Phoenix writer told DailyMail.com that this is the most extreme series of events that can occur in the air and that travelers are likely to encounter mild turbulence.

First, she said the first safety precaution anyone can take is to wear a seat belt.

While they may come across as whiny, Newman said it’s always “critical to follow the crew’s instructions” and that they are on board “for one reason: safety.”

Newman continued in the same vein, adding: ‘Familiarize yourself with the aircraft’s exits and emergency equipment, then in the unlikely event of an evacuation you will not hesitate.

“You already know which way to go. The difference in those seconds could easily save your life.”

The novelist found that while many people think these plants are enclosed or covered in concrete, “some of the most dangerous materials are stored outside the confinement in structures that are not actually reinforced.”

When asked why she chose to change the setting of her new book to outside an airplane instead of inside as in her first two novels, ‘Falling’ and ‘Drowning’, she explained that she wanted to step outside her comfort zone.

While she had reservations about the change, she said she has received “overwhelmingly positive” feedback so far.

‘This one put me through the wringer. This was the most emotionally difficult book to write.

“And, without spoilers, but I’m not always happy with how things turn out for characters. It breaks my heart. I grieve, I grieve for them,” she said.

Newman added that her first two books really helped her write ‘Worst Case Scenario.’

Newman, who recently toured for her new novel, said she’s actually not afraid of flying at all, even though she writes extreme thrillers about terrifying flights.

Her first two books are currently being adapted into films: ‘Falling’ is at Universal Pictures and ‘Drowning’ is at Warner Brothers.

She revealed that Paul Greengrass, who created United 93 and Bourne Supremacy, will direct ‘Drowning.’

Newman, who recently toured for her new novel, said she often has the desire to help airline crews.

“I still find it strange to just sit down and be served a drink instead of being served myself,” Newman admitted.

She says that for the time being, she makes sure to book a window seat on flights because she gets a better view and can come up with more story ideas.