Posted on 06/07/2018 10:44:27 AM PDT by BBell
A passenger jet plunged through the air “like a rollercoaster” after it flew into a thunderstorm, dropping thousands of feet as it was bombarded with strong winds, hail and lightning.
“Things were flying. Passengers throwing up. Scariest flight of my life,” said Jesse Esparza, who was aboard the American Airlines flight from San Antonio, New Mexico to Phoenix, Arizona.
With its nose and windscreen badly damaged by hail, the plane was forced to divert to El Paso for an emergency landing.
“I never thought I’d have to buy in-flight WiFi to message my mum goodbye,” Mr Esparza added.
Pictures of the plane on the runway showed its nose caved in and its windows covered by a web of cracks after it was battered by hailstones of up to three inches in size.
“I keep looking back at the photos and getting chills,” said another passenger, who did not want to be named. “We had no idea how bad it was until after we landed.”
She told ABC15 several passengers had panic attacks after the aircraft hit severe turbulence about 30 minutes after taking off.
Mobile phones flew through the air, drinks splashing the ceiling, and passengers sharing sick bags during “five minutes of hell”, she added.
Mr Esparza said the plane then dropped “like a rollercoaster”.
He added: “We dropped so hard that objects in people’s laps start flying inside the aircraft. My seatbelt is pulling against my waist keeping me in my seat. Babies screaming. I start hyperventilating. I grab my phone and sign on to the WiFi. I text my mom that I love her
(Excerpt) Read more at newsannapurna.com ...
Roger, Roger.
Missed that post, and at my age jumping to conclusions has become a regular form of exercise. Apologies to anyone offended.
Yep, ex Navy pilot for sure. Overheard the Exo of a squadron lecture a green Ltjg. nugget after he broke formation and went around the thunderhead instead of straight through with his flight lead.
“passengers sharing sick bags”
Nice one. “Hey, mine’s full but you’ve got half left...”
See Tucker Carlsons series on the new applicant screening process for Controllers. Obama diversity rules.. 10 poins for being unemployed for 3 years and doing bad in science during school. 2 points for being a pilot. No credit for attending an air traffic controller course of study in college. All hail the Commissar.
Ping
What kind of aircraft is that?
So where were air traffic controllers on this?
Do you always comment with your foot in your mouth before reading anything or watching any videos? :-) what a pompous and stupid post.
What the heck is a pilot doing flying through a thunderstorm?!!!
Wow those pilots had some good stories for later in the bar!
“My seatbelt is pulling against my waist keeping me in my seat.”
Seatbelts fully functional?: CHECK!
All kidding aside I’m glad everyone is ok.....aside from their underwear. *snicker*
If I donated a nickle to FR every time I wrote a comment without first reading the article, well let’s just say JimRob would never need to have another FReepathon!
Airbus A319.
Or at least one of the top 7.
When Obama imposed racial quotas to put unqualified minorities in those jobs.
Good question.
Tucker Carlson: Obama Administration Put Diversity Over Safety in Hiring Air Traffic Controllers
What do you make of this?
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