Qatar Airways flight QR-240 had to return and make an emergency landing at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Turkey, on August 18th.
The Airbus A330-300 plane took off for Doha, Qatar, but had to return shortly afterwards after its engine ingested a bird.
The plane landed safely. Everyone aboard remained unharmed.
Shaheen Air flight NL-766 had to return and make an emergency landing in Lahore, Pakistan, on August 16th.
The Airbus A319-100 plane took off for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, but had to return shortly afterwards due to a cabin pressurization issue.
The plane landed back safely. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Simón Blaise
What: Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 737-700 en route from Sao Paulo Brazil to Buenos Aires Argentina
Where: Sao Paulo
When: Feb 2nd 2012
Why: After takeoff from Sao Paulo, the flight suffered an bird strike, which disabled it. The vibrating engine had to be shut down. Pilots returned to Sao Paulo a quarter of an hour after leaving.
Passengers were provided alternative transport.
IndiGo flight 6E-923 had to return and make an emergency landing in Chennai, India, on January 3rd.
The plane took off for Kolkata, India, but had to turn back after the crew needed to shut down one of the engines.
The plane landed back safely. All one hundred and thirty-six people aboard remained unharmed.
British Airways flight BA343 had to make an emergency landing at London Heathrow Airport in United Kingdom on May 18.
The flight was heading from Nice to Heathrow when the crew requested an emergency landing due to a landing gear malfunction.
The firefighters were ready at the scene when the plane landed safely No injuries were reported.
An airline spokesperson said, “Our flight has landed safely after a suspected technical issue… The safety of our customers and crew is always our first priority and the aircraft will be checked by our engineers before returning to service.”
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Randall Johnson
What: Westjet Boeing 737-700 en route from Montreal to Calgary
Where: Winnipeg
When: Oct 6 2010
Who: 105 aboard
Why: While en route, the plane emitted an alert, and subsequently made an emergency descent and landing. Although they received an emergency indicator engaged, there were no problems with the landing. Emergency services were on standby.
Maintenance determined that the problem was due to a faulty sensor, and replaced same.
What: Air France Airbus A340-300 en route from Caracas Venezuela to Paris
Where: NW of Point A Pitre Guadeloupe
When: Jul 22nd 2011
Why: In an experience that is being compared to Air France Flight 447, in night/instrument conditions, the AF Airbus flew through turbulence (reported by pilots, not on METAR) at 35,000 feet, accelerated (to 0.66 mach), and autopilot quit. Pitch attitude increased to 11 degrees and decelerated. Turbulence reduced, and pilots were able to level off and return the flight to normal parameters.
Hopefully the events of this flight will inform us of what is going on in the Airbus at high altitude
Pilots blame the equipment. The BEA blames the pilots. Air France blames the instruments.
When the dust settles and the finger-pointing stops, we want those involved to stop blaming, and start taking responsibility.