What: US Airways Airbus A319-100 en route from Charlotte to Saint Louis
Where: over Tennessee
When: Dec 11th 2012
Who: 2 injuries
Why: While en route, the flight encountered turbulence.
Pilots made a safe landing in Saint Louis.
Two flight attendants sustained injuries from turbulence.
American Airlines flight AA-6005 suffered a bird strike near Sacramento International Airport, California, on November 27th.
The incident happened when the plane flying from Los Angeles, California, was on final approach to Sacramento Airport.
The plane continued for a safe landing. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
What: SATA International Airbus A320-200 en route from Funchal to Copenhagen
Where: Funchal Portugal
When: Jun 20th 2011
Who: 104 passengers, 6 crew
Why: On takeoff, the plane flew through a flock of birds, resulting in damage to both engines. There was vibration but no loss of power. Within a quarter of an hour, the pilot landed safely back at Funchal.
Both engines ingested seagulls, resulting in damaged fan blades. Also, on impact with a gull, one of the cargo doors opened.
Alaska 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.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Bruce Leibowitz
What: Frontier Airlines/Chautauqua Airlines Embraer ERJ-135 en route from Saint Louis to Milwaukee
Where: Milwaukee
When: Nov 30th 2010, arriving in Milwaukee at 10:02 a.m.
Who: 26 passengers, 3 crew, 6 injuries
Why: While en route, the plane encountered turbulence which injured five passengers and a flight attendant. Rescue services were waiting when the plane landed. The Embraer aircraft incident is out of service for repairs.
Frontier officials commented that passengers should keep their seat belts fastened.
Rossiya Airlines flight SU-6891 had to divert and make an emergency landing in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on February 2nd.
The Airbus A319-100 plane heading from Simferopol, Crimean Peninsula, to Saint Petersburg, Russia, was diverted due to a cracked windshield.
The plane landed safely. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
What: DEL RIO AVIATION INC Arrow Falcon UH-58C crop-duster helicopter
Where: Escalon, about 70 miles southeast of Sacramento, CA
When: August 27, 2012
Who: 1 aboard
Why: 8 a.m. Monday a cropduster crashed in an orchard. According to his son, the 71-year-old pilot, Bill Cavanaugh, has 20,000 hours of flying.
Cavanaugh sustained injuries and was hospitalized at San Joaquin General Hospital.