The single-engine, four-seat Cirrus SR22 was on course for Kissimmee, Fla., and maintaining altitude at 11,000 feet, but had not responded to repeated contact attempts from controllers; at the same time, ten miles behind the Cirrus at 12,000 feet was Southwest Flight 821, a Boeing 737. Rather than following the protocol for unresponsive aircraft, the supervisor asked the Boeing to visually check the Cirrus cockpit. The Boeing did so, reporting 2 people in the cockpit. Both planes landed safely.

But the planes violated proximity guidelines. The Boeing could have caused air turbulence upsetting the Cirrus. They flew too close. As a consequence, the FAA suspending the FAA controller, and they are reviewing procedures, and training practices.

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Hawaiian Airlines Oil Light Cuts Flight Short

If you’re one of those drivers who ignores that oil light on your car’s dashboard when it goes off, then be glad you’re not a pilot. Pilots have the same light, and it can’t be ignored.

It’s a good thing you’re not a pilot, then.

258 passengers aboard a 10:30 a.m. Hawaiian Airlines A330 to Los Angeles were relieved to be back on the ground after the plane they were on developed engine problems and had to return to Honolulu.

Fifteen minutes into the flight, the oil light went on. Pilots shut down the affected engine.

Passengers caught the alternative flight at 11:15 a.m.

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American Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Hartford

American Airlines flight AA-2250 had to make an emergency landing in Hartford, Connecticut, on February 26th.

The Boeing 737-800 plane took off for Chicago, Illinois, but had to turn back after the crew noticed an unusual smell on board.

The plane landed back uneventfully. All ninety-three passengers and six crew members remained unharmed.

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Wellington Florida Plane Crash
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Wellington Florida Plane Crash


A Sonex, a two-seat homebuilt kit plane crashed into a lake at Greenbriar Dog Park a mile from Wellington Aero Club, killing the one person aboard the plane. The pilot, Leonard “Link” McGarity had been practicing “touch and goes” The accident occurred on Feb 17 in the morning. By 12:55 rescue crews were on the scene but unable to assist as the pilot died at the scene. McGarity was a longtime professional pilot who flew for American Airlines and Marine helicopters, and had a residence at Wellington Aero Club.

Prior to the crash, witnesses heard the plane sputter.

The Wellington Aero Club is a community built around a runway. A neighbor who is a seasoned aviator was quoted saying of McGarity, “If this happened to him, it’s something wrong with the plane, not him. He knew what he was doing.”

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Small Plane Crash-Lands in San Luis Obispo County

small planeA small plane crash landed on a private property near Gifford Ranch Road, south of Highway 166 in San Luis Obispo County, California, on January 16.

The authorities said the pilot reported engine troubles and informed San Luis Obispo Airport authorities that he would try to make an emergency landing at Highway 166. However, the communication was then disrupted and the plane was found in an upside down position in a riverbed near the highway.

There were 2 people aboard the plane at the time of incident; both of them remained uninjured. They were identified as the pilot John Charles Butler, 76, of Phoenix, Arizona and his passenger Pamela Butler Zirion, 67, of San Luis Obispo.

The FAA and the NTSB are investigating.

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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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Korean Jet hits American Vulture and Lands in Sao Paulo

What: Korean Air Boeing 777-200 en route from Sao Paulo to Seoul
Where: Sao Paulo Brazil
When: Wednesday
Who: There were 138 people on board
Why: The jet hit an American black vulture, (2 kilograms (4.4 lbs) and has a wingspan of 1.5 m) and suffered turbine engine failure. The plane landed without incident with no reported injuries.

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