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Contact photographer Wayne Campbell
What: A JAL Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 en route from Tokyo to Sydney
Where: Tokyo
When: Jan 14th 2012
Who: 260 aboard
Why: About twenty minutes after takeoff, a passenger’s armrest caught on fire in business class. After the fire was put out, the pilots dumped fuel, and the flight returned to Tokyo where it made a safe landing.
The fire has been attributed to a passenger’s lighter.
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Contact photographer Gerry Stegmeier
What: Iberia Airbus A319-100 en route from Madrid Spain to Frankfurt Germany
Where: Madrid
When: Jun 9th 2011
Who: 110 passengers
Why: After takeoff, one of the passengers undressed, and attacked the flight attendant who inquired about his naked condition. The pilot returned to Madrid. The plane was met at the gate by officials in Madrid, although no charges were filed.
China Southern Airlines flight CZ366 had to return and make an emergency landing at Auckland Airport, New Zealand, on November 5th.
The Boeing 787 plane took off for Guangzhou, China, but had to return shortly afterwards due to an engine failure.
The plane landed safely. All 212 people aboard remained unharmed.
On Feb 2, Air India Flight AI-191, a Boeing 777-337ER, en route from Ahmedabad to Mumbai blew three tires on landing. The crew was able to taxi to the gate with assistance. No injuries to the 260 passengers resulted from the blown tires, and there were no reports of injuries using the emergency exits.
The AI flight’s eventual destination was the US. Passengers continuing their journey were provided an alternative Boeing 777.
THere’s no indication if the tires blew do to the runway surface, tire quality, a hard landing or other reason. The incident is under investigation.
On March 11, 2013, an Air France Airbus A330 en route from Mumbai to Paris developed an engine problem. The pilot shut down the engine and returned to Mumbai.
There were almost two hundred passengers aboard the flight. None of them reported injury.
Passengers disembarked, and were provided accommodations as an alternative flight was provided.
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Contact photographer Matteo Stella
What: Belavia Boeing 737-500 en route from Batumi Georgia to Minsk Belarus
Where: Sochi
When: Aug 12th 2011
Why: While en route to Belarus, the plane lost cabin pressure. The cabin was not sealed.
THe pilots descended to a safe level, and then obtained permission to divert to Sochi. The pilots made a safe landing in Sochi with emergency services on standby. No injuries were reported.
A replacement 737 was provided.
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Contact photographer Richard Vandervord
What: Sunexpress Boeing 737-800 en route from Antalya Turkey to Aarhus Denmark
Where: Antalya
When: July 14 2011
Who: 180 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane developed vibration.
The crew returned to Anatalya and made a safe landing. The issue was reported by official spokesmen as being a hydraulic problem (hydraulic pump failure), although a hydraulic problems would not cause vibration.
Passengers were provided an alternative flight.
