Emergency

Under FAA JAA IKO rulings, it is mandated that if and when an emergency is declared by an airborne plane, ATC immediately diverts all incoming traffic and gives priority to the emergency situation. Most, if not all, of the events we have described as emergency are official emergencies. However, sometimes they are incorrectly reported as emergencies by our sources, have been downgraded from official emergency status, or are believed to be emergencies by passengers in fear for their lives.

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    Emirates emergency Landing in India

    What: Emirates Airbus A330 en route from Dubai to Kochi
    Where: Kochi
    When: Jul 2nd 2011
    Who: 270 passengers
    Why: On approach to Kochi, the plane developed a loss of pressure in the hydraulics. (The landing gear would not retract.)

    The flight made a safe landing however, though it’s return flight was delayed. Passengers on the return flight were provided alternative transportation or hotel accommodations.

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    Kingfisher Flight makes Emergency Landing

    What: Kingfisher en route from Delhi to Mumbai
    Where: Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
    When: July 2, 2011, 9:08 a.m.
    Who: 118 passengers and eight crew members
    Why: The flight took off from Delhi but then an alarm went off, causing the pilot to declare an emergency and return to the airport.

    The pilot made a safe landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport at 9:08 a.m. and taxied to the apron. There were no injuries. Passengers apparently disembarked normally and were provided an alternative flight.

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    Southwest Emergency Landing in Phoenix

    What: Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 en route from El Paso to Phoenix
    Where: Phoenix
    When: Jun 30th 2011, 9:33 pm
    Who: 139 aboard
    Why: On approach to Phoenix, the pilot declared emergency and shut down an engine when one of the engines failed. Some of the systems operating were backup systems. Details about the engine issues were not released but Southwest said there was an “issue with engine exhaust.”

    The plane made a safe landing at 9:33 with emergency services on standby, but taxied to the gate, and did not need towing.

    Maintenance is examining the plane.

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    Emergency landing on Midway Atoll

    What: Delta Airlines Boeing 747-400 en route from Honolulu to Osaka
    Where: 300 nm southeast of Sand Island/Midway Atoll
    When: June 17, 2011
    Who: 359 passengers, 19 crew
    Why: While en route, a windshield cracked. Although they did not lose cabin pressure, the crew decided they had to land while it was daylight. The plane had two birdstrikes and had flap damage also.

    The pilots made a safe landing on a 7,900 foot runway on the atoll, Sand Island’s Henderson Field.

    Passengers waited on board until a replacement jet was provided within 16 hours. The replacement 747 jet left at 5:00 am before the “sea birds woke up.”

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    Emergency Landing in Caracas

    What: Delta Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Atlanta,GA to Brasilia
    Where: Caracas
    When: Jun 19th 2011
    Who: 119 aboard
    Why: En route near Caracas, the plane developed an issue with the right hand engine.
    The crew diverted to Caracas where they made a safe landing.

    A replacement jet was provided within 20 hours.

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    Turbulence Over Burlington Injures Jetblue Flight Attendants


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Alejandro Torres

    What: Jetblue Airbus A320-200 en route from New York to Burlington,VT
    Where: Burlington
    When: Feb 19th 2011
    Who: 2 injured
    Why: On approach to Burlington, the plane encountered severe turbulence, which injured two flight attendants. The pilot continued, to make a safe landing in Burlington. Both attendants were hospitalized, one with bruises, and one with broken ribs.

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    Bad Day for Air Europa Flaps


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Galen Burrows

    What: Air Europa Boeing 737-800 en route from Madrid,SP to Lanzarote,CI
    Where: Lanzarote
    When: Jun 16th 2011
    Why: On approach to Lanzarote, the plane developed flap problems. The crew responded by entering a holding pattern, and shortly afterward landed with flaps up. Touchdown was lower and at a higher speed but a safe landing.

    What: Air Europa Boeing 737-800 en route from Lanzarote,CI to Bilbao,SP
    Where: Bilbao
    When: Jun 16th 2011
    Why: The same plane was on approach to Bilbao and suffered a reoccurrence of the flap problem.

    The pilots diverted to Madrid. Touchdown was lower and at a higher speed but a safe landing.

    In George’s Opinion
    One can not help but wonder what was going on behind the scenes here–if they had an attempted-but-failed flap repair in maintenance, or if someone had a boneheaded thought process of flying a disabled plane.

    We do not have a record here that this was a ferry flight, so whether or not there were commercial passengers aboard, someone else will have to enlighten us.

    Hopefully the flaps problem will be repaired rather than continuing to subject the crew to a less-than-airworthy plane. Good on you to the flight crew of EC-III

    .

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    Delta Flight Cancelled over Jacksonville—Engine Lost and Recovered

    What: Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-88 en route from Jacksonville FL to Atlanta.
    Where: Jacksonville
    When: Jun 15th 2011, 10:30 p.m
    Who: 135 aboard
    Why: Taking off from Jacksonville, they had a compressor stall.

    The pilots recovered the left engine, and made a safe landing back in Jacksonville, in spite of a loud bang that occurred. They stopped on the runway (which had been inspected for debris). A passenger told reporters that there was an engine sparking.

    Emergency vehicles were on hand.

    Passengers disembarked, and were provided an alternative flight.

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    Bird Strike Damages American Airlines, Endangers Flight


    Capture from video posted below

    What: American Airlines MD-80 en route from Dallas/Fort Worth to Norfolk Virginia
    Where: DFW airport
    When: June 13 2011, 6:15 pm
    Who: 122 passengers and 5 crew
    Why: On takeoff from Dallas/ Fort Worth , Monday’s American Airlines flight struck a flock of (20+) pigeons, damaging the cone and right wing and requiring an emergency landing. The plane had to be taken out of service for repairs, and bird part extractions. Dead birds littered the runway.

    Birds can be a problem at the 29 square mile airport. Attached you can view a wildlife management news clip demonstrating a wildlife expert’s noise system used to disrupt the birds.

    View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.

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    Romania: Emergency landing


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Santo Cuce

    What: Carpatair Fokker 70 en route from Timisoara to Iasi Romania
    Where: Timisoara
    When: Jun 13th 2011
    Who: 72 passengers, 4 crew
    Why: After pressure problems were detected on board, the flight returned to Timisoara where it made a safe landing.

    A replacement Fokker was provided, although passengers experienced a delay.

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    Engine Backfire, Flame out Grounds Air New Zealand Passengers


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Giovanni Verbeeck

    What: Air New Zealand Boeing 767-300en route from Auckland to Perth,WA
    Where: Auckland
    When: Jun 9th 2011
    Who: 206 passengers, 10 crew
    Why: Just after takeoff, while climbing, the left hand engine shot flames and emitted engine backfire and banging noises. The pilots described an interruption to the airflow through the left hand engine. The pilot shut down the engine and returned to Auckland where they made a safe landing. No bird strike was found, although that was initially assumed to be the cause. The engine’s electronic control has been replaced, and the engine is being tested; and the engine’s electronic control has been shipped to the manufacturer for testing.

    Passengers were provided an alternative flight to Perth. Some of them were shaken, although the airline says they were never in any danger.

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    United Airlines Smoke in Cockpit

    What: United Airlines/Skywest Canadair CRJ-200 en route from Lincoln,NE to Denver,CO
    Where: Lincoln Nebraska
    When: June 6 2011, 7 am
    Who: 53 passengers 3 crew
    Why: On takeoff from Lincoln Airport, the crew detected smoke in the cockpit.

    Pilots returned immediately to Lincoln and made a safe landing. Maintenance examined the plane. Takeoff was delayed for 9 hours.

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    Delta/Skywest Makes Safe Landing on one set of Landing Gear

    What: Delta Air Lines/ SkyWest en route from Cincinnati to Milwaukee
    Where: Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee Wisconsin
    When: June 6, 2011
    Who: 41 passengers, 3 crew
    Why: On approach to the airport, the landing gear developed problems.

    The plane made a safe landing at 10 pm Monday night on one set of landing gear. Passengers were bussed to the terminal. Once passenger was hospitalized.

    According to news crews covering the incident, the plane looked tilted on the runway. The airport was closed for two hours after the landing.

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    Air Canada Engine Shut Down, Diverts to Montreal


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Tokyo Spotter

    What: Air Canada Boeing 767-300 en route from Halifax to London Heathrow
    Where: Montreal
    When: Jun 2nd 2011
    Who: 138 aboard
    Why: After takeoff, the left engine emitted a loud explosive noise. Pilots shut down the engine but weather prevented a return to Halifax. The flight diverted to Montreal where it made a safe landing between two and three hours later. A replacement jet was sent to Montreal for passengers, resulting in a 13 hour delay on that flight.

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    On Board Fisticuffs over Washington DC


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Gerry Stegmeier

    What: United Airlines Boeing 767 en route from Chantilly Virginia to Ghana
    Where: en route
    When: May 29 , 2011
    Who: 144 passengers
    Why: After passenger one reclined his seat into passenger two’s lap, passenger two objected
    and slapped passenger one in the head. Apparently passenger one retaliated. This escalated into a fight, which had to be broken up by passenger 3 and a flight attendant.

    The fight that erupted between passengers resulted in a fighter escort from Andrews Air Force Base being sent in to shadow the flight on its return/diversion to Washington.

    No one was arrested and no charges were filed, but police did meet the UA flight on its arrival. The flight was delayed for eighteen hours.

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    Ryanair Boeing Emergency Landing

    What: Ryanair Boeing 737-800 en route from Lanzarote Spain to London
    Where: Porto
    When: Jun 2nd 2011
    Why: The flight was east of porto when the pilot saw an indication of engine problems (technical malfunction.) The pilot diverted to Porto and made a safe landing at Porto.

    Passengers disembarked normally on the apron, without emergency slides.

    Media reported smoke although Ryanair said there was no smoke.

    A replacement jet was provided.

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    Airbus Birdstrike over Athens

    What: Air France Airbus A320-200 en route from Athens to Paris
    Where: Athens
    When: May 30th 2011
    Who: 152 passengers and 6 crew
    Why: While over Athens, the plane incurred a bird strike. In Athens, a dismembered sea gull was found on the runway. The plane continued until unusual vibration of the engine made them decide to return to Athens. They had to burn off fuel.

    They made a safe landing.

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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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    Delta Flat Catches Fire Landing in Atlanta

    What: Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-88 en route from Pittsburg, to Atlanta
    Where: Atlanta
    When: May 28th 2011
    Who: 43 passengers and 5 crew
    Why: On landing in Atlanta, the right main gear tire blew and started a fire. The runway was vacated and the passengers disembarked via emergency slides.

    Emergency services responded to contain the fire. Foam was employed.

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    TUIfly Pilots Lightheaded on Fumes

    What: TUIFly Boeing 737-800 en route from Alicante to Nuremberg
    Where: Alicante
    When: Mar 15th 2011
    Who: 144 passengers
    Why: After takeoff, the pilots and crew of the flight felt dizzy and impaired. Passengers also reported feeling dizzy after the ground power unit started the engines. The pilot reported the emergency and returned to Alicante and made a safe landing.

    We don’t see a statement from the ministerio de fomento regarding this incident.

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    British Airways Emergency Diversion to Shannon


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Giovanni Verbeeck

    What: British Airways Boeing 777-200 en route from London Heathrow to Boston,MA
    Where: Shannon
    When: May 23rd 2011
    Who: 221 passengers
    Why: En route over the Atlantic, smoke developed in the cockpit and the pilots declared emergency and diverted to Shannon.
    (There is some speculation that the smoke was ash drawn into the cabin.)

    The smoke increased on descent, but the pilot made a safe landing. The smoke is being blamed on an undesignated mechanical problem.

    Above FL200, the atmosphere was (reported as) clear of Grimsvotn ash.

    Passengers were provided hotel accommodations until the replacement flight arrived (May 24.)

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    Nagpur Landing with Faulty Hydraulics

    What: Air India Airbus A319-100 en route from Mumbai to Nagpur
    Where: Nagpur
    When: May 24th 2011
    Who: 153 passengers
    Why: On approach to Nagpur, the pilot reported “a technical fault.” The plane developed a hydraulic problem. Pilots made a safe landing at the Nagpur airport. There is no mention if the foam was employed or if emergency services were on standby. The return flight was cancelled. Passengers were provided accommodations until the replacement flight.

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    Green Bay-DC-9 Emergency Landing


    Pictured: Delta DC-9 Similar to the one in the incident
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Christopher Weyer

    What: Delta Airlines DC-9 en route from Detroit to Minneapolis
    Where: Ashwaubenon
    When: May 21, 2011
    Who: 81 passengers, 5 crew
    Why: The plane was en route when the pilot smelled smoke from burning plastic in the cabin, and announced to passengers they would be diverting to Green Bay with rescue services from De Pere, Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Hobart and Howard on standby.

    They made a safe landing in Green Bay at Austin Straubel International Airport at 2:25 pm

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    Bangkok-Another Rolls Royce/Trent Engine Fails


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Rainer Bexten

    What: Qantas Boeing 747-400 en route from Bangkok (Thailand) to London Heathrow,EN
    Where: Bangkok
    When: May 20th 2011
    Who: 308 passengers
    Why: After takeoff from Bangkok, the engine vibration and temperature increased beyond the norm in one engine and the engine is reported to have salled. That (Rolls Royce) engine was shut down, and the pilots returned to Bangkik to make a safe landing with the remaining three engines. It has not yet been announced if the problem is due to the internal pipe irregularities which were indicated in an airworthiness directive just released, but with problems that go back several years.

    By the look of cursory evidence, it appears this could be the same manufacturing defect in an oil pipe, which led to an internal oil leak in the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine that failed in a Qantas A380 in 2010 causing a midair explosion, but investigators will have to reveal the details.