Kulula flight MN-111 encountered severe turbulence near Cape Town, South Africa, on June 7th.
The Boeing 737-800 plane flying from Johannesburg, South Africa, was on approach to Cape Town International Airport when it hit turbulence that injured a passenger.
The plane continued for a safe landing.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Michael Priesch
What: Austrian Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from Vienna Austria to Washington DC
Where: Vienna
When: May 27th 2011
Why: After takeoff, the gear would not retract.
The pilot returned to make a safe landing in Vienna; repairs were made and the flight left again less than an hour later.
Anonymous Expert Opinion
One common occurrence in Commercial Aviation is when a maintenance person forgets to remove the Landing Gear Safety Pin that is connected before starting the push back procedure during the aircraft start-up. It happens that that pin prevents the hydraulic system to actuate the nose gear allowing the tractor to freely steer the aircraft free from the gate. However that pin also locks the landing gear in the “down” position preventing the hydraulic system to retract in when commanded by the pilots. The result is that the aircraft is prevented from retracting its landing gear (one pin prevents them all) and returning is mandatory.
If the airplane is engaged in an intercontinental flight (thus carrying a huge amount of fuel) the crew invariably must dump a great amount of fuel in order to reduce the weight to within the manufacturer’s certified maximum landing weight in order to perform a safe landing. After dumping the fuel as the aircraft’s weight reaches its maximum allowed for landing the crew land the airplane. Unfortunately it causes delays and it is a nuisance, although not a harmful one. The worst part is for the maintenance crew whom was responsible for the tow out procedure to explain to his (or hers) superiors the quite expensive forgetfulness.
South African Airways flight SA-64 had to return and make an emergency landing in Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 9th.
The Airbus A319-100 plane took off for Lusaka, Zambia, but had to turn back due to a damaged tire.
The plane landed safely. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
FedEx Express flight FX-540 suffered a bird strike near Oakland International Airport, California, on December 10th.
The incident happened when the Boeing 767-300 plane flying from Memphis, Tennessee, was on approach to Oakland Airport.
The plane continued for a safe landing.
Everyone aboard remained unharmed.
American Airlines Flight 67 was searched for a bomb after it landed at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on November 30.
Authorities said they received a threat involving the New York-bound flight which originated in Barcelona.
The flight landed at JFK at 12:01 p.m., immediately after which, around 200 passengers and 9 crew members were safely evacuated. Police and K-9 unit dogs thoroughly searched the aircraft as well as its cargo, however, no explosive material was found.
The airline said in a statement, “American Airlines apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused. However, the safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority.”
Officials said the focus of investigation would now be the source of threat.
What: Nordavia Boeing 737 en route from Arkhangelsk to Antaliya
Where: Arkhangelsk
When: Sept 9 2011
Who: n/available
Why: After takeoff, the plane lost pressurization.
As the plane lost cabin pressure, the pilot turned back to Arkhangelsk and made a safe landing. No injuries were reported.
Aer Lingus flight EI 485 was forced to make an emergency landing at Cork Airport, Cork, Ireland, on the afternoon of October 18.
The Airbus A320-200, en-route to Dublin, Ireland, from Lisbon, Portugal, had to be diverted in emergency after a 24-year-old passenger “ran amok” and later died mid-air.
The plane landed uneventfully.
Among 168 passengers and 6 crew members aboard, 1 person sustained minor injuries while trying to help the man.
