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Contact photographer RalfB
What: Lufthansa Airbus A340-300 en route from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Boston,
Where: Amsterdam
When: Sep 24 2010
Why: While en route, the plane developed problems in an engine and had to shut it down for an unspecified fault inside engine #1 (outer left). After dumping fuel, the crew made a safe landing in Frankfurt. No injuries were reported.
What: Wings Aviation Group single engine Beechcraft Bonanza
Where: NE Philadelphia Airport
When: June 21 2010
Who: pilot and passenger
Why: The single-engine plane landed on the runway without its nose gear. After landing on the main wheel, the flight skidded on its belly flinging sparks. No one was injured.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Jose Mendez
What: American Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Miami to San Juan
Where: Miami
When: Apr 18th 2010
Why: The Boeing was maneuvering on the runway when it made an explosive noise. On acceleration, the plane began vibrating.
Instead of taking off, the plane returned to the gate with a flat tire. Passengers disembarked and were provided alternative transport.
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Contact Photographer Paul Spijkers
What: Qantas Airways Boeing 747-400
Where: emergency landing in Perth
When: Sep 2, 2009
Who: 290 passengers
Why: Four hours into the 7/12 hour flight, a fuel leak occurred. Engine 4, the source, was shut down as a consequence. 90 minutes after the leak was detected, the plane made a safe emergency landing in Perth. Last year an exploding oxygen tank blew a hole in this very plane; but there is no connection.
George’s Point of View
Last year an exploding oxygen tank blew a hole in this very plane; but there is no connection, except perhaps that Qantas crew was able to handle and contain the situation both times.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Ronald J Stella
What: US Airways Boeing 737-400 en route from Philadelphia to Tampa
Where: Tampa
When: Jun 27th 2009
Who: 138 passengers and 5 crew
Why: After a normal flight, on landing, both nose gear tires blew. Nose gear wheels and strut were damaged.
Passengers disembarked via roll-up stairs thru the back of the plane. No injuries were reported. It took 8 hours to clear the runway after the incident. Mechanics are looking at a landing gear problem as the cause of the incident.
Billy Mays was interviewed after debarking.
George’s Point of View
Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance! Or was it a fast landing?
Gulf Air flight GF-155 made an emergency landing in Mumbai, India, on May 27th.
The Airbus A330-200, en-route from Manila, Philippines, to Bahrain, was diverted after it was hit by severe turbulence that injured several passengers and crew members.
The plane landed uneventfully. One person was taken to hospital with head wounds.
The flight was carrying 247 passengers at the time.
Germanwings flight 4U9023 made an emergency landing at Dusseldorf airport, Germany, on May 16th.
The plane, flying from Dresden, Germany, declared an emergency after smoke was detected in the cockpit.
The plane landed uneventfully. All 142 passengers and 5 crew members remained safe.
