 The plane scene during which passengers die in mid @-@ air was created inside a very large sound stage . The three @-@ ton hydraulic gimbal was operated automatically . " We spent two months building this central set piece that weighs about 45 @,@ 000 pounds and holds 89 people , " special effects supervisor Terry Sonderhoff explained . Used for filming the on @-@ board sequences , it could be shifted on the gimbal to create a pitching movement of up to 45 degrees side @-@ to @-@ side and 60 degrees front @-@ to @-@ back , realistically conveying the horror of airborne engine failure . Sawa said that " the screams of the cast inside the gimbal made it appear more real " . Wong said , " You walk into the studio and there 's a huge gimbal with a plane on top and you think , ' What have I done ? ' I was afraid we were gonna have 40 extras vomiting . " 
