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

A former flight attendant who became a successful thriller author has revealed a terrifying security weakness that she fears could cause a nuclear apocalypse. 

New York Times bestselling author T.J. Newman, 41, got the idea for her most recent book 'Worst Case Scenario' after asking pilots to share their scariest fears. 

One pilot told her that he often worried that a plane could crash into a nuclear power plant, which 'planted the seed' for her third novel, Newman said. 

She soon started to research his fear to see if there 'was any validity to his fears,' and soon figured out that even though reactors - the heart of nuclear power plants - are hardened, the material stored outside of them could cause a major disaster. 

'The research terrified me, and it became very quickly apparent that what became the premise of the book is completely plausible,' she said. 

In the novel, which hit shelves on August 13, a huge jet crashes into a nuclear power plant near a small town in Waketa, Minnesota, leaving about 300 passengers dead. 

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 all of the Mississippi Valley under a nuclear threat. 

Newman, who was a flight attendant for 10 years,  told The Orange County Register that writing this book was not easy for her and that she often found herself emotional in the process.  

'It wasn't as difficult this time,' she says. 'There are a lot of vulnerabilities in a nuclear power plant that I just wasn't aware of, and it really shocked me,' she said. 

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

She added that there are about 94 power plants around the country and that if something catastrophic happened at one, 'the average person' would have no idea what to do. 

The novelist found that even though many people think that these plants are contained or covered in concrete, 'some of the most dangerous materials are stored outside of containment in really not fortified structures.' 

But the Phoenix-based writer told DailyMail.com that this is the most extreme run of events that could take place in the skies and instead mild turbulence is the most likely disturbance travelers will encounter.

Firstly, she said the first safety measure everyone can adopt is to buckle up.

While they might seem like they are nagging, Newman said it is always 'imperative to comply with crew member instructions' and they are onboard 'for one reason: safety.' 

Continuing in the same direction, Newman added: 'Familiarize yourself with that plane's exits and emergency equipment, then, in the unlikely event of an evacuation, you won't hesitate.

'You'll already know which direction to go. The difference in those seconds might just save your life.'

When asked why she chose to change the setting of her new book to outside of a plane instead of inside like her first two novels 'Falling' and 'Drowning,' she explained that she wanted to go outside of her comfort zone. 

Although she had her reservations about the change, she said she has received 'overwhelmingly positive' reactions so far. 

'This one put me through the wringer. This was emotionally the hardest book for me to write.

'And, no spoilers, but I’m not always happy with how things end up for characters. It breaks my heart. I grieve, I mourn them,' she said. 

Newman added that her first two books really helped guide her while creating 'Worst Case Scenario.' 

Her first two books are currently in the process of becoming movies, as 'Falling' is with Universal Pictures, and 'Drowning' is with Warner Brothers.

She revealed that Paul Greengrass, who created United 93 and Bourne Supremacy, is directing 'Drowning.' 

Newman, who recently jetted off for her book tour for the new novel, said that she often l finds herself wanting to help out the airplane staff. 

'It’s weird to me still to be just sitting and being served a drink instead of serving them,' Newman admitted. 

For now though, she said she makes sure to snag the window seat on flights for the view and to brainstorm more story ideas.