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.

airliners.net | Boeing | Diversion | Emergency | engine trouble | Vibration

JAT Emergency Landing in Sofia
December 20, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Yvan Panas

What: JAT Airways Boeing 737-300 en route from Istanbul Ataturk to Belgrade
Where: Sofia
When: Dec 20th 2009
Who: 56 passengers
Why: While en route, the right engine developed vibration. It is not noted whether or not the engine was shut down, but the flight diverted successfully to Sofia and made an emergency landing.

There’s no indication what accommodations were made for passengers.
airliners.net | Boeing | Emergency | engine shut down | overheat | Spicejet

Spicejet Emergency Landing at Chennai
December 19, 2009December 19, 2009

Pictured: A SpiceJet Boeing 737-8GJ at Chennai
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Nisarg Vyas

What: SpiceJet Boeing 737 en route from Coimbatore to Chennai
Where: Chennai
When: Dec 20, 2009, 11.25am
Who: 121 passengers
Why: While en route (near final approach), one engine developed problems, overheated and was shut down. The flight was declared an emergency and landed safely at its destination. Apparently a generator failed, and that lead to the engine overheating, but hydraulics were not affected.

An article attributes the emergency to landing gear not operating. However, this may be referring to a separate incident, as the date and time and vehicle registration on both events is not clear. (yet)
airliners.net | Boeing | Diversion | Emergency | TAF Linhas Aereas | weather

Manaus Storm Forces TAF Flight to Divert
December 19, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Sérgio Mendes

What: TAF Linhas Aereas Boeing 727-20 en route from Sao Paulo to Manaus Brazil
Where: Parintins
When: Dec 17th 2009
Who: crew
Why: After several attempts at landing in stormy, rainy windy conditions at the Manaus airport (including flying through tree branches and damaging the leading edge of the right wing, the flight diverted 200 miles east to Parintins where it made a safe landing.
airliners.net | Argentina | Austral Lineas Aereas | Emergency | engine shut down | McDonnell Douglas

Argentina: Engine shut down
December 19, 2009

Pictured: An Austral Lineas Aereas McDonnell Douglas MD-88
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Laurenz Herzer

What: Austral Lineas Aereas McDonnell Douglas MD-88 en route from Salta to Buenos Aires
Where: Tucuman
When: Dec 18th 2009
Who: 106 passengers
Why: While en route, the right engine was shut down. The plane made a safe landing in Tucuman. Passengers were provided hotel accommodations and booked on alternative flights.
airliners.net | bird strike | Boeing | Emergency | RyanAir

Ryanair Bird Strike
December 19, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Varani Ennio

What: Ryanair Boeing 737-800 en route from Alghero to Parma
Where: Alghero
When: Dec 18th 2009
Who: 80 passengers
Why: On takeoff, the plane suffered a bird-strike. The flight returned to the airport and made a safe landing. Passengers debarked and were provided an alternative jet two hours later.
airliners.net | American Airlines | Boeing | Emergency | Landing Gear

LAX: AA Routine Emergency Landing
December 19, 2009

Pictured: An American Airlines Boeing 757-223 at Dallas / Fort Worth – International
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Tim Perkins

What: American Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Los Angeles,CA to Dallas Ft. Worth,TX
Where: Los Angeles
When: Dec 18th 2009
Who: 193 passengers
Why: On takeoff, the right main gear door was stuck open, and the landing gear would not retract. The plain turned around and landed safely at LAX. Passengers debarked and were provided an alternative flight.
Boeing | cracked windshield | Emergency | Mexico

Cracked VivaAerobus Windshield over Chihuahua
December 19, 2009

Pictured: A VivaAerobus Boeing 737-3B7
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Jorge Garcia

What: VivaAerobus Boeing 737-300 en route from Monterrey to Tijuana
Where: Chihuahua
When: Dec 18, 2009
Who: 80 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane developed cracks in its windshield, and diverted to Chihuahua, where it made a safe landing.
airliners.net | Cessna | Emergency | engine trouble

Cessna Emergency in CA
December 18, 2009

A Cessna 172R Skyhawk in Cheyenne Wyoming, where the C172F in the incident is registered to BEDROCK INVESTMENTS
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Robert Domandl

What: Cessna C172F
Where: field near Railroad Street and Auto Center Drive near the Corona Municipal Airport
When: Dec 17, 2009
Who: pilot
Why: While en route, the plane developed engine problems.

The pilot made an emergency landing and flipped over after touchdown. He was able to extricate himself on his own, and was ported to Riverside Community Hospital with a broken nose and other injuries.
Avro | Blue1 | Emergency | Finland | fuel system

Helsinki: Avro Emergency Landing
December 18, 2009December 18, 2009

The Blue1 BAE Systems Avro 146-RJ85 in an August flight over Stockholm
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Martin Djupenstrom

What: Blue1 Avro RJ-85 en route from Vaasa to Helsinki.
Where: Helsinki Finland
When: Dec 17th 2009
Who: 66 passengers 4 crew
Why: On approach to Helsinki, the flight developed fuel problems. Emergency measures were deployed, and the plane landed safely.
airliners.net | Boeing | Diversion | Emergency | engine shut down | engine surge | Qantas

Qantas Engine Shut Down; Safe Singapore Landing
December 18, 2009December 18, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Wim Callaert

What: Qantas Boeing 747-400 en route from Singapore to Melbourne
Where: Singapore
When: Dec 17th 2009
Who: 354 passengers and 19 crew
Why: While en route, the outer right engine surged. Passengers reported bangs and vibration, and flames.

The crew shut down the engine and returned to Singapore on the remaining 3 engines, where they made a safe landing.

The flight was delayed for a day. It is not reported if this plane completed the route or if an alternative plane was used.
Airbus | airliners.net | computer code error | Emergency

Airbus Flight Computer Down; Flight Diverts to Pittsburgh
December 17, 2009

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Contact photographer Jeff Rodeback

What: US Airways Airbus A320-200 en route from Philadelphia to Los Angeles
Where: Pittsburgh
When: Dec 15th 2009
Who: 135 passengers, 5 crew
Why: While en route less than an hour into the flight, the plane developed an undesignated problem with a flight computer. The crew diverted to Pittsburgh.

A replacement airbus was provided.
Air Canada | De-Havilland | Emergency | Hydraulic leak

Jazz Lands with Hydraulic Leak
December 17, 2009December 26, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Frank Robitaille

What: Air Canada Jazz de Havilland Dash 8-300 en route from Sudbury to Toronto
Where: Toronto
When: Dec 16th 2009
Who: 53 on board
Why: On final approach, the plane developed hydraulics issues. Low hydraulic pressure was indicated in the no.2 hydraulic system. An emergency was declared, and the plane landed safely under emergency conditions.
Air France | Airbus | airliners.net | British Airways | Emergency | engine failure | precautionary

Canadair Engine Failure over Paris
December 17, 2009April 7, 2010

Pictured: An Air France (Brit Air) Canadair CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet CRJ-100ER arriving from Lyons
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Jim Groom

What: Brit Air/Air France Canadair CRJ-100 en route from Paris Orly to Rodez
Where: Paris
When: Dec 16th 2009
Who: 22 passengers
Why: After takeoff, the left engine made several explosive noises, and the plane vibrated. The crew turned the plane around and landed safely at Orly. Passengers were rebooked, provided accommodations and further delayed by snow.
Air Baltic | airliners.net | Boeing | Emergency | generator

Latvia: Air Baltic Boeing Emergency
December 16, 2009December 21, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Augustas Didzgalvis

What: Air Baltic Boeing 737-500 en route from Riga to Berlin
Where: Palanga Lithuania
When: Dec 16th 2009
Who: not available
Why: While en route, the plane experienced generator failure. The crew declared emergency and returned to Riga where they made a safe landing.
A replacement jet was flown in fewer than 4 hours later.
airliners.net | Boeing | Emergency | engine shut down | leak | oil pressure

Gulf & Caribbean Air Loses Oil over Cincinnati
December 15, 2009December 15, 2009

Pictured: N281FL formerly known as C-GKFH Purolator Courier (Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter) Boeing 727-225(F) in its former life
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Frank Robitaille

What: Gulf & Caribbean Air Boeing 727-200 en route from Memphis,TN to Hamilton, Ontario
Where: Cincinnati
When: Dec 13th 2009
Who: 3 crew members
Why: While en route, engine 3 developed an oil pressure problem, most likely due to a leak. The right engine (3) was shut down and the plane diverted to Cincinnati where it made a safe landing.

After landing, apparently maintenance discovered no oil IN the engine, but quite a lot ON it. Not finding a current photo of this plane in Gulf & Caribbean Air colors, we have delved into history and (if we have made no errors) resurrected a photo of this plane in its former life with the photographer’s permission. If there’s a mistake, it’s ours.
airliners.net | Boeing | Condor | Diversion | Emergency | engine failure | engine shut down

Condor Engine Stall
December 14, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Ralf Meyermann

What: Condor Boeing 757-300 en route from Tenerife Sur Reina,CI Spain to Dusseldorf Germany
Where: Las Palmas
When: Dec 13th 2009
Who: not available
Why: While en route, an engine stalled. The plane diverted to Las Palmas, where a replacement plane was sent.

The plane landed safely in Las Palmas, and the replacement plane delivered the passengers safely 9 hours later.
Air Traffic Control | airliners.net | Boeing | Emergency | Ethiopian Airlines

Nigeria: ATC Down
December 14, 2009

Pictured: An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767-3BG/ER
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Pieter-Jan Van De Vijver

What: Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from Addis Ababa to Lagos
Where: Lagos Nigeria
When: Dec 13th 2009
Who: 180 passengers
Why: On approach, ATC communication failed. With air traffic control’s radar and communication radio out of service, the flight circled, and after two hours in a holding pattern, landed after declaring a fuel emergency.

Other flights also had the same experience.

Nigeria’s Airspace Management Agency NAMA was unavailable for two hours.
Airbus | airliners.net | bird strike | Emergency

Durban Bird Strike
December 13, 2009December 13, 2009

Pictured: A South African Airways Airbus A319-131
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Gary Shephard

What: South African Airways Airbus A319-100 en route from Durban to Cape Town
Where: Durban
When: Dec 11th 2009
Who: not available
Why: On takeoff, the flight had a bird strike, and made an immediate emergency landing. Passengers debarked and were provided alternative transport.

The bird ingested was reportedly a “Yellow-billed Kite.”
airliners.net | Emergency | nose gear | SOCATA

NJ: Safe Landing w/o Nose Gear
December 13, 2009December 13, 2009

Photo: A French-Army Socata TBM-700
Of course this French Military craft is not the exact TBM-700 as in the incident in New Jersey, but who could resist Mick Bajcar gorgeous photograph?
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Mick Bajcar

What: TBM-700 single engine turboprop en route from Nantucket Island in Massachusetts to Essex County
Where: Essex County Airport
When: 12/12/2009 6:00 pm
Who: 4 passengers
Why: While on approach to Essex County Airport, the turboprop developed a nose gear problem. The plane made several passes so that ATC could see the landing gear.

Emergency crews were standing by.

The plane landed without the gear extended, minimal damage
and no human injury.
Airbus | airliners.net | Emergency | Landing Gear | Turkish Airlines

Turkey: Airbus Gear Fails to Retract
December 11, 2009

Pictured: A Turkish Airlines Airbus A340
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Johan Knijn

What: Turkish Airlines Airbus A340-300 en route from Istanbul Turkey to Beijing China
Where: Istanbul
When: Dec 11
Who: not available
Why: After takeoff, the airbus was unable retract the gear, and had to turn around and return to the airport to make an emergency landing. The flight’s initial takeoff had been delayed for a day, and after landing, it was another eight and a half hours before it was able to take off again.
airliners.net | ATR | Emergency | Pantanal Aerospatiale | smoke

Pantanal Aerospatiale Emergency Landing in Sao Paulo
December 11, 2009December 11, 2009

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

What: Pantanal Aerospatiale ATR-42-300 en route from Sao Paulo to Juiz de Fora Brazil
Where: Congonhas
When: Dec 8th 2009
Who: not available
Why: After takeoff, the flight returned to the airport, after developing smoke in the cabin. The plane landed safely.

Maintenance traced the smoke to faulty lighting.
airliners.net | Boeing | Cuba | Emergency | Empresa Aerocaribbean SA

Empresa Emergency Landing in Santo Domingo
December 11, 2009December 11, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Ricardo Morales

What: Empresa Aerocaribbean SA Boeing 737-200 en route from Caracas Venezuela to Santiago Cuba
Where: Santo Domingo
When: Dec 10th 2009
Who: 90 passengers and 9 crew
Why: While en route, the flight developed oil filter trouble in the right engine.

Gushing black smoke, the plane made an emergency landing in Santo Domingo where maintenance took care of the problem. In six hours, passengers continued to their destination on the same plane.
airliners.net | Canada | De-Havilland | Emergency | indicator | instrument panel

Porter Airlines Emergency Landing in Toronto
December 9, 2009December 9, 2009

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

What: Porter Airlines de Havilland Dash 8-400 en route from Montreal to Toronto
Where: Toronto
When: Dec 3rd 2009
Who: 52 on board
Why: On approach to Toronto, about ten minutes before landing, the crew received indication of a technical problem.

The flight made a safe landing with emergency standing by.
Airbus | airliners.net | Diversion | Emergency | gear disagree message | Vladivostok Avia

Airbus Gear Disagree Message
December 9, 2009December 10, 2009

Pictured: A Vladivostok Avia Airbus A330-301
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Konstantin Tyurpeko

What: Vladivostok Avia Airbus A330-300 en route from Vladivostok to Moscow
Where: Khabarovsk
When: Dec 9th 2009
Who: 163 on board
Why: After take-off the gear retracted (but rec’d a gear disagree message that the gear would not retract.) The flight diverted to Khabarovsk and landed safely.
Air France | airliners.net | Boeing | Emergency | hydraulic failure

Air France hydraulics failure at Sao Paulo
December 9, 2009

Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Sergey Kustov

What: Air France Boeing 777-200 en route from Paris France to Sao Paulo
Where: Sao Paulo
When: Dec 9th 2009
Who: 259 passengers and 16 crew
Why: While on approach to Sao Paulo, the plane experienced a hydraulics failure. The crew requested the longest available runway and made a safe landing.

Passengers debarked normally.

George’s Point of View

Maintenance is so important.