Originally Posted by
Lead Balloon
That makes sense. Joe Punter in Australia is so much more stupid and prone to sudden incapacitation than their US equivalents who meander, gumby-like and gripping their palpitating chests, while over-flying LAX.
Whilst not exactly over-flying, it's not unknown for GA to "interfere" with ops at major airports here. Case in point being a Super Petrel forced-landing at KSA only just last month. From RAAus:
Approaching Jibbon Point, the pilot made a call on 120.8 advising Victor One traffic of their position and altitude. At Cronulla beach, the pilot started to feel a vibration that wasn't normal and the passenger, who was also a regular flyer, also made comment. They started to consider their options which included landing on Cronulla Beach or on the water at either Weeney or Botany Bay but at the same time the passenger asked if they should return. The pilot commenced a right hand turn as they believed the better option was staying in the Botany Bay area, then Sydney Tower and declared an emergency, squawked 7700 and advised them that they had engine vibrations and requested to Land at YSSY. The pilot suggested that a water landing on Botany Bay was possible but that a runway was the preferred option. The aircraft was cleared directly from its position in Victor One for a landing on 34L. At approx. 50' over the threshold of 34L the engine stopped but made an otherwise safe landing on the runway. Once stopped on the runway just north of B5 taxiway they were met by the RFS units. Shortly after an Airport vehicle recovered a blade that had detached at approximately the same time as the engine failed.
Of course it'd never turn out that nicely at LAX.