Emergency landing for Howard (Prime Minister John Howard's plane forced to land in Iraq - down safe)

news.com.au ^ | 17th March 2007

[naturalman1975]

Prime Minister John Howard's Hercules has filled with smoke over Iraq, forcing it into an emergency landing.

Mr Howard had visited Iraq yesterday to meet with Australian troops and US generals.

His Hercules had just left the runway on its way to Baghdad when the cockpit started filling with smoke which spread from the back of the cabin.

Mr Howard and passengers were asked to fit their smoke masks.

The Hercules dropped from just over 1500m and returned to the Talil runway, in southern Iraq.

All left the plane safely as SAS troops surrounded the plane to ward off any potential runway attacks.

[TheThinker]

Almost lost a courageous ally. Glad he's alright.

[SmithL]

Has Al Quaida claimed responsibility, yet?

[radar101]

HEY--How can Pelosi demand a jet, when the PM of Australia has a C-130?

[naturalman1975]

The Prime Minister of Australia does not normally travel by C-130 - it's just considered safer for him to do so when he is in a war zone.

The Prime Minister generally travels on an RAAF Boeing Business Jet.

[Old Student]

"My guess is a faulty cabin heater. I'm pretty sure they run on JP8. I suspect a few of the Desert Roos will have some 'splainin to do. They're a great bunch though."

IIRC, there is no shortage of hot air in anything with turbine-driven engines. Bleed some air off the first stage of the compressor, and there you go. I doubt that they burn anything to heat a C-130 cabin. Sure didn't when I was active duty, anyway. I've got way more time flying as a passenger in a C-130 than I want to remember.

[Mr. K]

I have enough passenger time in a c-130 to still have my ears ringing

[Old Student]

"I have enough passenger time in a c-130 to still have my ears ringing"

I worked on jets before I got my first "opportunity" to fly in a C-130, so I had ear plugs and mouse ears both. I made certain that I had at least the plugs for every subsequent opportunity, too. I already had hearing problems, didn't need to aggravate them any more than necessary.