Britons aboard a Jet2 flight were left shaken when their aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing after the pilot suffered a suspected heart attack.

Flight LS1266 was en route from Tenerife to Birmingham when travellers began spotting alarming signs. Flight attendants were spotted rushing through the cabin in tears, with 220 passengers on board, and were heard asking whether any travellers had medical training.

There was also a sudden drop in altitude as the aircraft diverted to an unplanned landing in Porto, with the plane’s first officer taking control. “We were awoken by chaos,” one witness told The Sun, explaining that both they and their partner had been sleeping when things started going wrong.

“Lights began flashing and hostesses who were visibly upset, seeking a doctor.”, reports the Mirror.

“Our two-year-old began crying like many other children onboard because the aircraft was dropping so quickly for an emergency landing.”

Video footage revealed how the aircraft, after touching down successfully in Porto at 2.11am on Friday, was swiftly met by emergency services who tended to the pilot.

“We were stranded in Portugal for over 13 hours without accommodation,” a passenger revealed. “They wouldn’t let us off the plane itself for over an hour. Then we were just left to wander around.

“There was nowhere to stay. They said accommodation was too expensive.”

The passenger added they had “full sympathy” for the pilot. A pilot was dispatched by Jet2 from Manchester to Porto to assist in their return. Passengers were informed they could opt for a free switch onto a Jet2 flight heading to any of 14 UK destinations over the following week.

Jet2 reportedly stated: “Flight LS1266 from Tenerife to Birmingham diverted to Porto on Thursday (21st May), due to one of the pilots feeling unwell.

“At no point was safety compromised, and customers subsequently continued their journey. We would like to apologise to customers for this unforeseen delay.”

Credits: Jet2

The post Jet2 plane makes emergency landing after pilot’s suspected mid-air heart attack first appeared on AircrewNews.com.

Alaska Airlines Flight 1057 was en route from Portland, Ore., to Dallas early Tuesday morning, the company stated in an email to Global News.

“After a security incident in which a passenger physically assaulted two attendants, the plane diverted to Boise, Idaho,” it said.

“The passenger was arrested by law enforcement and medics met the aircraft at the gate,” the statement continued. “Following a medical evaluation, our crew was cleared to fly, and the aircraft continued on after a delay of approximately 90 minutes.”

The Ada County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman as Tracy Anne Barkhimer, 61, from White Salmon, Wash.

The Boise Police Department told CBS News that Barkhimer was behaving erratically and “struck two airline employees who were attempting to calm her down.”

“She was restrained until the flight landed. The employees filed citizen’s arrests, and Barkhimer was removed from the plane without incident. She was taken into custody and booked into the Ada County Jail,” police added.

Barkhimer is charged with two counts of battery, according to police records.

Barkhimer posted a US$600 cash bond on Tuesday, and is scheduled to appear in court in early November.

Alaska Airlines said she had been banned from flying with them.

“At Alaska Airlines, safety is our number one priority, and we do not tolerate violence of any kind against our employees,” the company said. “We are grateful to our crew for their professionalism, and we apologize for any concern or inconvenience this situation caused.”

In January of last year, an Alaska Airlines jetliner blew out a window and a portion of its fuselage shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport, creating a gaping hole that sucked clothing off a child and forced the pilots to make an emergency landing as its 174 passengers and six crew members donned oxygen masks.

No one was seriously hurt, and the depressurized plane returned safely to Portland approximately 20 minutes after departure.

A lengthy investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board found that four bolts securing what is known as the door plug panel were removed and never replaced during a repair as the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft was being assembled.

The NTSB recommended that Boeing enhance its training and safety standards and ensure that all personnel are aware of when actions must be documented.

Board members also emphasized the importance of ensuring that everyone throughout the company understands its safety plan, just as executives do.

Credits: Alaska Airline

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