An IndiGo flight covering the 1329 miles from Mumbai to Chennai had 150 passengers aboard when one of them, an infant, suffered a medical episode.
The seven month old was flying to Chennai for medical treatment for three holes in his heart, but an hour into the flight, suffered distress.
Efforts to sustain the baby were made, including defibrillation and CPR.
Pilots returned to Mumbai and made a safe landing, but on return to Mumbai, the infant was declared dead by a doctor on the ground.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Je89 W.
What: United Airlines A 320 en route from Denver to Las Vegas
Where: Denver International Airport
When: Jan 3, 2011
Who: 155 passengers, 5 crew
Why: Passengers boarded at 8:30 a.m.
After takeoff, by the time they were 60 miles out, there was a strange smell in the cockpit and cabin which convinced the crew to return to Denver where they made a safe landing. Passengers disembarked with no reported injuries.
A US Airways Express jet, operated by Republic Airlines, had to return and make an emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport, Pennsylvania, on the morning of December 29.
The Embraer 175 aircraft took off from Philadelphia for Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, New Hampshire, but had to turn back just minutes later, due to an engine problem. Some passengers reported that they heard a loud boom and saw fiery flashes shooting out of the plane.
The plane landed safely and all 75 passengers and 4 crew members remained unharmed.
The airline accommodated the passengers in another flight while the plane was taken for examination.
What: Air New Zealand/Eagle Airways Beech 1900D from Gisborne to Auckland New Zealand
Where: Gisborne
When: May 8th 2011
Who: 9 passengers
Why: Ten minutes into the flight, while flying over Opotiki, the pilots shut down an engine because of readings they were getting; and they announced to passengers they were going to make an emergency landing.
The pilots then returned to the airport. Everyone aboard clapped when the nineteen seat plane landed safely.
The engine of the Eagle Airways Beech was examined and no problems were found.
What: Hindustan Aeronautic Ltd HAL HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer
Where: Near Hosur, Krishnagiri about 50 miles SE of Bangalore
When: April 28 2011
Who: 2 pilots
Why: The Hindustan Aeronautic Ltd (HAL) trainer crashed Thursday near Hosur in Tamil Nadu. The pilots pilots Wg Cdr. Patra and Mathur ejected and survived, although they had several injuries.
Since 1968, the HAL jets have been used to replace the Kiran trainers. This particular jet had crashed before (at Aero India in February 2007) and had been repaired and returned to service.
This is the “prototype” which careened off the runway when its canopy opened just as the plane was getting airborne at the Aero India 2007 exposition.
It is no wonder that in India, aviation is having problems. Between a a questionable supply of pilots with legitimate licenses, problems with air traffic control, and now recycled planes which may not be providing top protection to those who have to ride in them. Fortunately for these two pilots, the ejector seat worked and they survived the crash, albeit somewhat the worse for wear. The incident is under investigation.
Southwest Airlines Flight 3809 on its way from Minneapolis-St. Paul airport to Denver, had to divert and make an emergency landing at Sioux City airport in Iowa, at about 2:40 p.m. on June 29.
The decision to divert and make an emergency landing was made after the pilot noticed a power warning light flashing in the cockpit.
The Boeing 737, with 143 passengers and 5 crew members aboard, then landed without incident after remaining in the air for about 90 minutes.
Southwest spokeswoman Michelle Agnew said that the pilot adopted a cautious route although the situation was not that dire.
Sioux City airport operations manager John Backer said that the passengers were provided a replacement plane to resume the journey after waiting for three hours in the lounge.
Hainan Airlines flight HU-7923 had to return and make an emergency landing in Changsa, China, on November 14th.
The Boeing 787-800 plane took off for Los Angeles, California, but had to return shortly afterwards after the crew reported an issue with the slats.
The plane landed safely after burning off excess fuel. All passengers and crew members remained unhurt.
