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Virgin Airbus Diverts to St Johns

What: Virgin Airlines Airbus A-340 en route from London to Washington DC.
Where: St Johns International
When: May 2011
Who: 269 passengers
Why: While en route, a passenger was ill. The flight diverted to DC to get the passenger assistance, and made a safe landing. THe passenger was transported to the Health Sciences Centre and the flight resumed.

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Melbourne Emergency Landing

What: Virgin Blue Boeing 737 en route from Melbourne to Sydney
Where: Melbourne
When: Nov 19 2010 7:16 a.m.
Who: 122 passengers, 6 crew
Why: Just after takeoff, the pilot noted a peculiar odor described as burning plastic (originally reported as smoke in the cockpit.) After being aloft for less than 30 minutes, the plane was met by 11 fire trucks on the landing which was safe; and the plane seemed to be operating as usual. Passengers were provided alternate flights as maintenance checked over the plane for the source of the smell, which may have been the new engine.

George’s Point of View

An electrical fire? or Old Spice? Avon? Brut? Body odor? Old Spice ON body odor?

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Virgin Blue: Fumes over Adelaide


Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer John Richard Thomson

What: Virgin Blue Boeing 737-800 en route from Perth to Sydney
Where: Adelaide
When: Apr 19 2010
Who: 150 passengers
Why: While en route, passengers began suffering from breathing problems. An odor was detected aboard. The flight routed to Adelade where affected individuals were tested for Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Fire crews and flight engineers cleared the flight for continuing to Sydney and passengers reboarded after being grounded for about an hour.

Eight passengers suffered nausea; one was taken to the hospital.

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Engine Fire over Launceston Australia Instigates Emergency Landing


Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact Photographer Torin Wilson

What: Virgin Blue Boeing 737-800 en route from Launceston to Sydney
Where: Launceston
When: Aug 20th 2009
Who: 151 passengers
Why: Shortly after takeoff, passengers heard a “bang” and flames were seen from an engine. The plane circled Launceston for thirty minutes before being cleared to land, which it did, safely. The problem was described as an “engine surge.” Passengers debarked and were provided an alternative plane to take them to Launceston.

George’s Point of View

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Flat Tire Down Under

What: A Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd. Boeing 737-700 en route from Sydney Nova Scotia to Coolangatta Australia
Where: Brisbane Airport Queensland
When: 2:30 p.m. local time May 26
Who: 109 passengers
Why: After departing, Airport crew at Sydney found parts of the Boeing’s nose wheel tire. The plane made a safe emergency landing in Brisbane. Passengers debarked; and the tire was replaced.