El Al emmergency

[casablanca]

I friend sent me a photo of an El Al 777 on the ground in Billings, Montana.
Apparently diverted there enroute to LAX, due to engine fire?

[NWstu]

Link 1 (http://billingsgazette.com/news/el-al-carrying-nearly-passengers-makes-emergency-landing-in-billings/article_a0629ada-41c2-5005-a0ff-9cb1661e7873.html)

Link 2 (http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ELY5)

[Ian W]

A link without an inquisition :O El Al plane lands in Montana after engine malfunction - The Times of Israel (http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/el-al-plane-lands-in-montana-after-engine-malfunction/)

[MarkerInbound]

Well, TLV, LAX and BIL. That must have been an interesting mix of cultures.

[TRF4EVR]

Hence doubling the Jewish population of Montana...

[Airbubba]

From the liveatc.net recordings:

Billings approach was given a heads up a few minutes prior to El Al 5 coming on the frequency.

Right engine fire indication, there was discussion before El Al checked in between ATC and the fire crew of a possible low pass (at night) to check for fire damage, not sure where this idea originated. El Al confirmed a full stop landing, was offered visual or LOC 28R. El Al requested ILS, was given direct SUTLE, LY 5 said they didn't see the point so they were given radar vectors to intercept the localizer. El Al confirmed ILS, not sure why the LOC was offered earlier.

Souls on board given as 297, later on the ground 279.

Plane stopped on the runway, no damage or other evidence of fire seen so plane taxied to west cargo ramp. Another check on the ramp by the fire crew, engines shut down, discussion of transportation, customs, stairs etc.