What: (new) Avera Careflight helicopter
Where: S Dakota
When: November 2, 2009
Who: Pilot Craig Hilzendager and EMT Terry Willis
Why: While en route, the new helicopter had a bird strike (specifically duck) that shattered the helicopter cockpit window, and injured the EMT.
The landing was simplified by night vision goggles which made it possible for the pilot and EMT to be able to see the ground.
A small plane made an emergency landing on State Route 55 in Costa Mesa, California, on January 28th.
The pilot decided to land on the freeway after the plane suffered an engine failure.
The plane landed safely. There were two people aboard at the time, including the pilot Izzy Slod, 25, and a passenger; both remained unharmed.
The plane was returning to Van Nuys after a trip to San Diego.
Turkish Airlines flight TK-673 had to return and make an emergency landing in Mombasa, Kenya, on October 13th.
The Boeing 737-800 plane took off for Istanbul, Turkey, but had to turn back due to a bird strike.
The plane landed back safely. All one hundred and twenty-one passengers and six crew members remained unharmed.
El Al flight 29, en route from Tel Aviv, Israel to Ontario, Canada, returned to Ben Gurion Airport for emergency landing on the night of September 6.
The Boeing 767 was diverted after one of its engines failed.
The plane landed uneventfully and all 194 people aboard remained safe. The passengers were transferred to an alternate aircraft which took them to their destination.
“We consider flight safety as the highest value,” said an El Al representative. The airline also said that the incident will be investigated.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Andreas Fietz
What: Northwest Airlines Airbus A330-300 en route from Atlanta, GA to Honolulu
Where: Oklahoma
When: Nov 14th 2009
Who: 305 on board
Why: While en route, the plane developed cabin pressurization problems, descended to 10000 feet diverting to Minneapolis,MN.
KLM Cityhopper flight KL-1198 made an emergency landing in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on November 15th.
The Embraer ERJ-175 plane flying from Stavanger, Norway, was on approach to Amsterdam when the crew declared an emergency due to an unsafe gear indication.
The plane landed safely. All eighty-three people aboard remained unharmed.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Aldo Bidini
What: Vueling Airbus A320-200 en route from Alguaire to Palma
Where: El Prat Airport Barcelona
When: Nov 12th 2010
Who: 72 passengers
Why: After takeoff from Alguaire, the flight developed a hydraulic leak. The pilot diverted to Barcelona where they were attended by rescue vehicles, and landed safely, although needing a tow from the runway. The plane was removed from service for routine repairs.
Passengers were rebooked and provided dinner; some were booked on buses for part of their trip, and Air Europe, and Air Berlin.
