I remember flying as SLF back to Gatwick from Hong Kong in 1982. When we left Hong Kong, we knew that that UK had just had a slight covering of snow and the flight went ahead as planned. Again, after the stop-off at Dubai (I think it was) the weather was the same in the UK and we continued onwards.

However, during the latter part of the flight the weather took a turn for the worse in Southern UK with heavy snow blizzads causing havoc. When we got close to Gatwick, the pilot told us that we would need to hold for quite a while whilst the runway was cleared sufficiently to land. He also said that all other airports in the area were having the same problem. 45 mins later the pilot told us that he now had no other option but to attempt a landing at Gatwick. We all had to get into the brace position during the landing, which was a bit bumpy and seemed to take forever to stop, but the guys up front got the plane down wonderfully. A round of applause went around the plane as we taxied in (just like in corney american movies!).

Just wanted to know what would happen these days in such a situation? Has this happened to anyone else?

(Was looking through some old photos last night which reminded me of this)

[This message has been edited by Professor TailSpin (edited 27 June 2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Has this happened to anyone else?</font>
It didn't happen to me, but I witnessed something similar. Transatlantic DC-10 destined for Vancouver which was closed due to a sudden blizzard (rare there, but do happen). An additional complication was the F/O being incapacitated by a kidney stone attack. Edmonton, Calgary and Seattle all closed by the same storm. Comox (AFB) locked up for the night.

The only option was Victoria, not a major airport but just capable of handling a -10. Runway had been plowed but about an inch had re-accumulated as it was still snowing.
So this captain has to shoot a night ILS single-handed to an airport he's never seen before in a snowstorm to a short slushy runway. Misses the first approach, lands on the second.

Damn fine job. I doubt anyone outside the cockpit knows how close they came that night.
Barely a word in the media, Victoria being a staid backwater the news simply did not get out. Local TV station did a video clip just because a DC-10 is unusual, but no shock horror plunge drama stuff.

I think this is a case of being reduced to no option due to unforeseen circumstances. Thankfully extremely rare but can happen.