SA Airlink flight skids off runway

[JerryMungo]

http://blogs.dispatch.co.za/dispatchnow/2009/11/18/el-bound-plane-skids-off-runway/

An SA Airlink aircraft with 29 passengers on board left the runway at the Port Elizabeth airport on Wednesday afternoon, paramedics said.

None of passengers or the crew members on board were injured, said Netcare 911 spokesman Jeff Wicks said.

“They’ve all been safely extricated from the plane by ACSA firefighters and shuttled to the arrivals area,” said Wicks.

He said the plane, bound for East London, left the runway on take off.

“Passengers insist that as the plane rumbled down the runway and gathered speed they heard a loud noise from the left of the plane and it spun violently and skidded into the grass,” said Wicks.

“Besides being visibly shaken all passengers and the crew are in good health.” – Sapa

 

[Dean]

Does anyone else remember a time when there wasn't an airline-related accident at least once a week?
Looks like the economic climate (and the general downturn in the air-travel industry) may be affecting people in some unexpected ways...

 

[hyperian]

Does anyone else remember a time when there wasn't an airline-related accident at least once a week?
Looks like the economic climate (and the general downturn in the air-travel industry) may be affecting people in some unexpected ways...

It wasn't an accident. A strong side-wind caught the aircraft, which pushed it off the runway. Pilots aborted take off, everyone got off, aircraft wasn't damaged. Stop speculating.

 

[rebel998]

I would've shat my pants!!

 

[Blah!Blah!]

flew cape town to jhb today and still freaked out landing felt life some bf2 pilot was flying

 

[JerryMungo]

It wasn't an accident. A strong side-wind caught the aircraft, which pushed it off the runway. Pilots aborted take off, everyone got off, aircraft wasn't damaged. Stop speculating.

Do you have a link? All I read is that there was a loud noise then it skidded off the runway...
About not speculating - what if it had done that just prior to or during take off... high speed could easily contribute to a serious accident. That doesn't mean I think it is unsafe to fly today - if there is an increase in accidents, its because there is an increase in flights IMO. It's still extremely safe compared to other modes of transport.

 

[hyperian]

Do you have a link? All I read is that there was a loud noise then it skidded off the runway...

SA Airlink Media Bulletin No1 18th November 2009 16h15

INCIDENT – SA AIRLINK FLIGHT SA8488 – PORT ELIZABETH

SA Airlink confirms that its flight SA8488 operating from Port Elizabeth to East London veered off the runway at the commencement of its take off roll at Port Elizabeth. The incident occurred at 15h42 local.

During extremely bad weather conditions including rain and poor visibility, a high velocity wind squall caused a loss of directional control resulting in the aircraft moving off the runway. The quick thinking pilots immediately aborted the take off roll. The aircraft stopped in the grass just off the runway.

All 29 passengers and the three crew members on board are unhurt. Airlink has arranged trauma counselling for all passengers and crew. Airlink staff and trauma councillors are with the passengers at present.

The aircraft appears not to be damaged but will be towed out of the grass verge and properly assessed.

A back-up aircraft and crew is currently being dispatched to Port Elizabeth to continue with the schedule.

SA Airlink will release further information as soon as it becomes available.

Issued for Airlink
CHRIS HOARE

About not speculating - what if it had done that just prior to or during take off... high speed could easily contribute to a serious accident. That doesn't mean I think it is unsafe to fly today - if there is an increase in accidents, its because there is an increase in flights IMO. It's still extremely safe compared to other modes of transport.

I think you managed to answer your own question. Flying as a means of transport is one of the safest ways to travel. Think of how many people you know who have died on our roads compared to the number of people you know who have died as a result of plane crashes. I can count the former on both hands, while I only know of one person I once met who was killed in a plane crash.

 

[AMG133]

when are they gona get rid of these ****ty jetstream planes???

anyway, took off from Lanseria on Monday evening, the runway was so bumpy that it caused the planes configuration to go off, so the pilot slammed the brakes halfway, then turned around and we had to redo the take off again! but we had to wait for 2 planes to land first.

 

[JerryMungo]

I think you managed to answer your own question. Flying as a means of transport is one of the safest ways to travel. Think of how many people you know who have died on our roads compared to the number of people you know who have died as a result of plane crashes. I can count the former on both hands, while I only know of one person I once met who was killed in a plane crash.

What question was that?

Netcare 911 spokesperson Gerard Howard said the panic-stricken passengers insisted they had heard a loud noise which sounded like it was coming from the engine before the aircraft veered to the side.

One passenger, Almarie – who did not divulge her surname because she was quickly ushered along with the other passengers away from the media – said it all happened “so quickly”.

“I got such a big shock, but before I realised what was happening it was already over. I’m doing okay now because it’s starting to all sink in,” she said.

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the incident was apparently caused by the aircraft losing control of its nose wheel steering, whereas airport manager Azad Cassim said the incident was caused by the airplane swerving off the runway.

“The civil aviation authority will investigate the incident to see what went wrong with the flight. At the moment all the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure the passengers are okay.

 

[KhoisanX]

Does anyone else remember a time when there wasn't an airline-related accident at least once a week?
Looks like the economic climate (and the general downturn in the air-travel industry) may be affecting people in some unexpected ways...

Minor aircraft incidents aren't that uncommon, it's just that the general media has been reporting on them more often after the Airlink crash.

 

[Ou grote]

What question was that?

Probably a good idea for you to stick to minibus taxis as a mode of transport.
Much safer.

 

[Alan]

Probably a good idea for you to stick to minibus taxis as a mode of transport.
Much safer.

 

[Smooth Criminal]

Does anyone else remember a time when there wasn't an airline-related accident at least once a week?
Looks like the economic climate (and the general downturn in the air-travel industry) may be affecting people in some unexpected ways...

9/11. They all happened on the same day.

 

[JerryMungo]

Probably a good idea for you to stick to minibus taxis as a mode of transport.
Much safer.

Can someone tell us what you are talking about?