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Contact Photographer Frank Robitaille
What: Air Canada Airbus A319-100 en route from Toronto to Liberia Costa Rica
Where: south of Pittsburgh
When: Aug 29th 2009
Why: Forty minutes into the flight, the left engine developed vibration. The flight returned to Toronto and safely performed an “overweight” landing. Passengers debarked and transferred to a replacement Airbus.
Southwest Airlines flight WN-105 had to return for an emergency landing in Chicago, Illinois, on December 15th.
The Boeing 737-800 plane took off for Las Vegas, Nevada, but had to return shortly afterwards after the crew reported a bird strike.
The plane landed safely. There were 164 passengers and 6 crew members aboard at the time; all of them remained unharmed.
The airline arranged a replacement plane for the passengers.
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Contact photographer Krzysztof Kaczala
What: Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600 en route from London to Lagos Nigeria
Where: London
When: Oct 7 2010
Who: 263 passengers, 16 crew
Why: While en route, the flight incurred a technical emergency and returned to London where they made a safe landing.
Virgin Atlantic provided passengers telephone and meal vouchers and hotel accommodations. The flight proceeded as scheduled the next day.
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Contact photographer James Gardner
What: Icelandair Boeing 757-200 en route from Paris to Reykjavik
Where: emergency landing at Gatwick in London
When: Jun 4th 2009
Who: 148 passengers
Why: The engine made a loud noise and the crew declared an emergency, and shut down the engine. After the emergency landing in London, passengers waited for substitute Icelandair and Iceland Express planes to take them on to Reykjavik, while some returned to Paris.
Alaska Airlines flight AS-1390 made an emergency landing in Los Angeles, California, on August 12th.
The Airbus A320-200 plane heading from San Francisco, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, was diverted after a strong odor was noticed in the cabin.
The plane landed safely. All one hundred and thirty-six people aboard remained unharmed.
A Fiji Airways Boeing 737-700 was en route from Auckland to Suva when an engine developed issues.
Pilots returned to Auckland International Airport where they made a safe landing with emergency services including fourteen fire engines on standby.
After landing, the plane was escorted by half a dozen fire engines. No fire was found on the plane.
Passengers were provided alternative transportation. None of the 122 passengers or six crew were injured.
Yamal Airlines flight YC-509 had to reject taking off at Simferopol International Airport, Ukraine, on July 29th.
The Airbus A320-200 heading to Nizhnevartovsk Airport, Russia, was about to take-off when the crew reported a hydraulic failure.
The plane taxied back to the apron safely.
No injuries were reported.