California

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    Hawaiian Airlines Jet Returns to LAX

    Hawaiian AirlinesHawaiian Airlines flight HA3 had to return and make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport, California, on May 18.

    According to an airline spokesperson, the plane was en-route to Honolulu when the crew noticed a cockpit indicator light that showed an open fuel jettison valve. The captain then declared an emergency and turned back towards LAX.

    The A330 plane landed uneventfully. There were 290 passengers and 10 crew members aboard at the time; all of them remained safe.

    On landing, it was found that the valve was closed.

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    Delta Airlines Flight Returns to LAX due to Mechanical Issues

    DeltaDelta Airlines flight 1471A had to return and make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport, California, on May 17.

    The plane took off for Atlanta, Georgia but had to return shortly afterwards, due to mechanical issues.

    The plane, carrying over 200 people, landed safely. No injuries were reported.

    The airline arranged an alternate aircraft for passengers.

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    United Express Jet Skids Down Runway During Emergency Landing at LAX

    United ExpressSkyWest Airlines flight 5316, operating as United Express, made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport, California, on May 11.

    Emergency was declared aboard the plane, coming from Monterey, California, after its landing gear failed to fully deploy.

    The Bombardier CRJ100 jet skidded along the runway, leaving a smoke trail behind, before finally coming to stop.

    None of the 43 people aboard was injured in the incident.

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    Single-Engine Plane Makes Emergency Landing on La Quinta Golf Course

    A small plane made an emergency landing on a golf course at 80200 block of Via Valerosa, La Quinta, California, on April 17.

    Authorities said the single-engine Piper aircraft flipped over during landing.

    According to a press release issued by the sheriff’s department, “It appears the plane experienced mechanical failure causing the pilot to conduct an emergency landing on the golf course… The pilot was the only occupant inside the plane and no one was injured during this incident.”

    The FAA is investigating the incident.

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    Super Stallion Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing on Solana Beach

    A Marine Corps helicopter made an emergency landing on Solana Beach, California, on April 15.

    According to a statement released by Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, the 100-foot CH-53E Super Stallion was forced to land in emergency after a low oil-pressure indicator light flashed. “The aircraft was conducting routine training, and the pilots landed the aircraft safely,” it said.

    The aircraft remained undamaged.

    The Super Stallion has three engines and is the heaviest and largest helicopter the U.S. military has.

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    Pilot Killed in Ultralight Plane Crash Near Petaluma Airport

    UltralightAn ultralight aircraft crashed near Petaluma Municipal Airport in Sonoma County, California, on the afternoon of April 3.

    The pilot was killed in the accident. His identity was not immediately released.

    FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor confirmed the incident, saying that the experimental Quicksilver MXL II aircraft went down under unknown circumstances.

    The aircraft is registered to a Petaluma man.

    The NTSB and the FAA are investigating.

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    United Airlines Jet Returns to SFO due to Medical Emergency

    United airlinesUnited Airlines flight 1188 had to turn back and make an emergency landing at San Francisco International Airport, California, on April 1.

    Authorities said the Boeing 757-300 aircraft was en-route to Boston, Massachusetts, when the pilots sought permission to return due to a sick flight attendant.

    The plane landed back uneventfully and the ill flight attendant was rushed to a nearby hospital.

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    United Airlines Flight Returns to SFO

    United airlinesUnited Airlines Flight 5064 had to return and make an emergency landing at San Francisco International Airport, California, on April 1.

    The plane, bound for Calgary, Canada, had to turn back some 30 minutes into the flight after the crew reported smoky odor in the cabin.

    The plane landed uneventfully and everyone aboard remained safe.

    The flight was being operated by SkyWest Airlines.

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    JetBlue Flight Lands in Emergency at LAX

    jetBlueJetBlue flight 1521 made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport, California, on February 25.

    The incident happened when the flight was en-route from Portland, Oregon, to Long Beach, California.

    According to Ian Gregor, spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane “landed without incident at 5:40 after reporting some kind of mechanical issue.”

    JetBlue spokesperson Victoria Buckley confirmed the incident, saying that the flight was diverted “out of an abundance of caution.”

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    Small Plane Crash-Lands Near Hayward Executive Airport

    Small planeA small plane crash landed on the Skywest Golf Course in Hayward, California, on the afternoon of February 15.

    According to Hayward Fire Capt. Don Nichelson, the plane departed from Hayward Executive Airport but had to crash-land shortly afterwards, due to power loss.

    The pilot, who was the only one aboard, remained uninjured.

    The incident is being investigated.

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    Helicopter Crashed During Training Exercise in Southern California; 2 Marines Killed

    HelicopterA Third Marine Aircraft Wing helicopter crashed at Twentynine Palms Marine base in Southern California on the afternoon of January 24.

    The UH-1Y Huey helicopter, carrying 2 Marines, crashed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center during a training exercise.

    Both occupants were killed in the crash. They were later identified as Captain Elizabeth Kealey, 32, of Indiana, Pennsylvania and First Lieutenant Adam Satterfield, 25, of Oldham, Kentucky.

    Wing commander Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco said in a statement, “Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the two Marines we lost in this tragic accident.”

    The cause of crash is not known at the moment.

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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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    Minneapolis-Bound Delta Flight Returns to LAX

    250px-Delta_logo.svgDelta Airlines flight 2116 had to return and make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport, California, shortly after 9:30 a.m. on January 13.

    The Boeing 757 took off for Minneapolis at about 8:30 a.m. but had to turn back shortly afterwards due to a mechanical issue.

    The plane landed safely after shedding off extra fuel. All 146 passengers and 6 crew members aboard remained unharmed.

    The airline later said in a statement, “The crew of Delta flight 2116 from Los Angeles to Minneapolis/St. Paul followed procedures to return to Los Angeles International after a potential systems issue was observed. The aircraft landed safely without incident and taxied to the gate under its own power. Delta is currently working to accommodate customers while technicians examine the aircraft. Safety is always Delta’s top priority and apologizes to customers for the inconvenience.”

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    United Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing at LAX

    United airlinesUnited Airlines flight 401 had to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport, California, on January 11.

    The Airbus A319, travelling from Denver, Colorado, declared emergency due to a suspected mechanical problem.

    The plane landed uneventfully and all 120 passengers aboard remained unharmed.

    The nature of mechanical problem is not clear at the moment.

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    Small Plane Crashed near Van Nuys Airport; Pilot Killed

    A single-engine Lancair aircraft crashed near Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, California, at around 1:14 p.m. on January 9.

    The authorities confirmed that the plane, which departed minutes earlier from Van Nuys Airport, crashed at Vanowen Street and Hayvenhurst Avenue.

    The pilot of the plane, who was the only person aboard, was killed in the crash. He was later identified as 47-year-old Alberto Behar, who was a NASA and Jet Propulsion Labs researcher and an Arizona State University Professor.

    No one on ground was injured.

    The NTSB, FAA and APD are investigating.

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    2 Killed after Cessna Crashed in Amador County

    CessnaA single-engine plane crashed between Amador Road and Gopher Flat Road, near Sutter Creek city in Amador County, California, shortly after 12:30 p.m. on December 24.

    The Cessna 172 went down when it was heading from Gilroy to Sutter Creek with 2 people aboard.

    Authorities said both occupants were killed in the crash. They were identified as Phillip Faillers, 52, of Sutter Creek and his son Alex, 21.

    The accident is under investigation. It is believed that fog might have contributed to the crash.

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    Small Plane Crashes in San Rafael, California

    A small plane crashed while attempting to take off from San Rafael Airport, California, at around 12:45 p.m. on December 20.

    San Rafael fire Chief Chris Gray said the single-engine plane flipped upside down but did not spark fire.

    The pilot, who was the only one aboard, sustained minor injuries.

    The FAA will investigate.

    It is believed that the plane was a Thorp T-18 experimental plane.

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    F-15 Jet Lands in Emergency at Frenso Base

    An F-15 fighter plane had to make an emergency landing at the 144th Fighter Wing’s Air National Guard Base in Frenso, California, on December 19.

    The jet took off for a routine training flight, however, it had to land back in emergency due to a landing gear malfunction. Col. Clay Garrison, a 144th Fighter Wing commander, said the plane’s wheel failed to retract after it took off and therefore, an arresting gear was employed to help it land safely.

    The pilot remained uninjured.

    The aircraft was taken for examining the cause of landing gear malfunction.

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    Southwest Flight Diverted to LAX after Woman Gives Birth Midair

    southwest_airlines_logoSouthwest airlines flight 623 had to make an emergency landing in Los Angeles, California, on the morning of December 9.

    The flight, heading from San Francisco to Phoenix, was diverted to Los Angeles International Airport after a passenger went into labor and gave birth midair.

    The plane landed safely and the mother and her new born were shifted to a hospital. According to spokesperson of Los Angeles Fire Department Erik Scott, “LAFD praises an ER RN that assisted the mother in giving birth prior to our arrival.”

    The flight was able to resume the journey with a 2.5 hours delay.

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    Alaska Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing due to Bird Strike

    AlaskaAlaska Airlines flight 349 had to return and make an emergency landing at Oakland International Airport, California, on November 14.

    According to the airline authorities, the Seattle-bound flight took off at 6:47 p.m. but had to return shortly afterwards due to a bird strike.

    The plane landed uneventfully and none of the 150 passengers was harmed. The aircraft was grounded for repair.

    A replacement plane was arranged for the passengers.

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    Small Plane Returns to Van Nuys Airport

    A private Learjet aircraft had to return to Van Nuys Airport, Los Angeles, California, shortly after it took off on the morning of November 3.

    According to the Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Ian Gregor, the pilot was forced to return after a gear indicator turned on.

    The plane circled over the airport before it safely landed before 8 a.m. No one was injured.

    The plane is registered to Glenbrook Capital Logistics of Wilmington, Delaware.

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    Pilot Killed in Military Plane Crash in California

    A military plane crashed in a field near Naval Station Ventura County in California, at around 5:15 p.m. on October 29.

    The single-seat Hawker Hunter MK.58 aircraft crashed while it was preparing to land at the Naval Station, after returning from an offshore training exercise.

    The pilot, who was the only one aboard, was killed at the spot. No one on the ground was injured.

    The British-built plane is registered to Virginia based Airborne Tactical Advantage Co., which provides flight training to the military.

    The FAA and the NTSB are looking into the cause of accident.

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    Pilot Killed as Small Plane Crashed Near Big Bear Lake

    A small plane went down in the Grout Bay campground located along the Big Bear Lake, California, before 11 a.m. on October 20.

    The accident happened after the aircraft took off from Big Bear City Airport.

    The pilot, who was the only one aboard, was killed at the spot. His identity has not yet been disclosed.

    According to the FAA records, the experimental, fixed-wing, single-engine Sonnex aircraft was registered to Steve M. Morris of Bayside, Humboldt County.

    The FAA, the NTSB and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department are looking into the cause of crash.

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    Air Tanker Crashed Fighting Yosemite Wildfire; Pilot Killed

    wildfireAn air tanker, belonging to California Fire Department, crashed while fighting the Dog Rock Fire near Arch Rock in Yosemite National Park, northern California, on October 7.

    The Cal fire department confirmed that the single-seater S-2T aircraft went down at around 4:26 p.m. near an entrance to the Yosemite National Park.

    The pilot of the air tanker was killed in the accident. He was later identified as Geoffrey “Craig” Hunt, 62, of San Jose.

    Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director said, “We continue to mourn the tragic loss of Craig…We know wildland firefighting is an inherently dangerous job, but Craig made the ultimate sacrifice.”