davidash
29th May 2009, 10:56
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Pilot lauded after mid-air scare
By Graeme Hosken A quick-thinking SAA pilot and his crew have been hailed as heroes after avoiding an accident when a Boeing 737-800's door-seal burst after take-off.
SAA Flight 575 had just left O R Tambo International Airport for Durban International Airport when a seal on one of the doors burst on Wednesday night.
The pilot of the aircraft, which had been flying at 2 743 metres, asked to make an emergency landing at O R Tambo International Airport and was given the go-ahead.
Once the door was repaired, the aircraft took off about three hours later and landed safely in Durban.
Passengers on the plane described the experience as one of their most terrifying.
"I really thought this was it. I thought that there was no way that we were going to survive," said one.
"People were scared. We heard the noise and then noticed the plane going round and round in circles over a large shopping mall with blue lights.
"The plane then levelled off and carried on going around. I think this was to burn off fuel."
The passenger said it was obvious the pilot wanted to land quickly "because there was no etiquette in the landing".
"We went down hard and fast and then the brakes were applied immediately. We landed with a big bump," he said.
"Everyone, including the crew, were extremely relieved when the plane came to a stop.
"You could see it on (the passengers') faces."
The man said the pilots had handled the situation well.
An SAA crew member, who was on the flight and who asked not to be named, said the aircraft had been ascending when there was a "hell of a bang".
"There was the bang and then a huge noise as the plane depressurised and air came rushing in.
"It was terrifying. No one knew what was happening."
The crew member said the pilot and co-pilot had done excellent work in bringing the aircraft safely back to the airport.
"They were true heroes and saved a lot of people from what could have been a catastrophic accident."
This article was originally published on page 1 of The Pretoria News (http://www.pretorianews.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5004619) on May 29, 2009
Pilot lauded after mid-air scare
By Graeme Hosken A quick-thinking SAA pilot and his crew have been hailed as heroes after avoiding an accident when a Boeing 737-800's door-seal burst after take-off.
SAA Flight 575 had just left O R Tambo International Airport for Durban International Airport when a seal on one of the doors burst on Wednesday night.
The pilot of the aircraft, which had been flying at 2 743 metres, asked to make an emergency landing at O R Tambo International Airport and was given the go-ahead.
Once the door was repaired, the aircraft took off about three hours later and landed safely in Durban.
Passengers on the plane described the experience as one of their most terrifying.
"I really thought this was it. I thought that there was no way that we were going to survive," said one.
"People were scared. We heard the noise and then noticed the plane going round and round in circles over a large shopping mall with blue lights.
"The plane then levelled off and carried on going around. I think this was to burn off fuel."
The passenger said it was obvious the pilot wanted to land quickly "because there was no etiquette in the landing".
"We went down hard and fast and then the brakes were applied immediately. We landed with a big bump," he said.
"Everyone, including the crew, were extremely relieved when the plane came to a stop.
"You could see it on (the passengers') faces."
The man said the pilots had handled the situation well.
An SAA crew member, who was on the flight and who asked not to be named, said the aircraft had been ascending when there was a "hell of a bang".
"There was the bang and then a huge noise as the plane depressurised and air came rushing in.
"It was terrifying. No one knew what was happening."
The crew member said the pilot and co-pilot had done excellent work in bringing the aircraft safely back to the airport.
"They were true heroes and saved a lot of people from what could have been a catastrophic accident."
This article was originally published on page 1 of The Pretoria News (http://www.pretorianews.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5004619) on May 29, 2009