photographer Andy Egloff
On Jan 8 2013, a Delta Airlines Boeing 777-232LR was en route from Johannesburg to Atlanta when one of the engines developed problems.
The pilots dumped fuel and diverted to the island of Ascension where they made a safe landing. Passengers say the plane swerved and fuel came pouring out. The crew was handling problems but did not make a lot of explanations to bewildered and hysterical passengers.
There is a British Air Force Base on the island, and the island is a British territory.
The good news is that the pilots made a rough but safe landing on Ascension. The bad news is that Ascension is a volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean about halfway between Recife Brazil and Luanda Angola.
Other sources say that a replacement 777-200 was flown in to Ascension, and that stranded passengers return to Atlanta was delayed less than 24 hours.
Martinair flight MP-8341 made an emergency landing in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on July 14th.
Saudi Arabian Airlines flight 384 made an emergency landing at Cairo International Airport, Egypt, on September 7th.
Flybe flight BE-4521 made an emergency landing in Dublin, Ireland, on October 16th.