Passengers escape after a Turkish Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Malta

TURKISH AIRLINES BOEING 737-MAX 8 TC-LCU (MSN 60068)

Several passengers have escaped from a Turkish Airlines flight following an emergency landing at Luqa International Airport on Wednesday afternoon. The unscheduled landing was requested by the captain due to a critically ill Moroccan passenger.

Turkish Airlines flight TK619 bound for Marrakesh (RAK/GMMX) took off from Istanbul (IST/LTFM)) at 8:56 AM UTC. After being airborne for around two hours, the flight diverted to Malta (MLA/LMML) and landed at 11:02 AM UTC. The flight was operated by Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as TC-LCI (MSN 60042).

The escape occurred while the aircraft was still on the runway, prompting an immediate security response. Police were notified at 1:45 PM and initiated comprehensive search with the Armed Forces Malta personnel across the airport grounds and surrounding areas.

The Moroccan passenger, whose medical condition triggered the emergency landing, remains in police custody at Mater Dei Hospital. Authorities continue search for the escaped passengers around the airport perimeter.

The incident has raised serious security concerns, and authorities are investigating the motives behind the passengers’ escape. Initial reports suggest that the individuals who fled may have been attempting to illegally enter Malta.

The incident activated airport security protocols, mobilizing law enforcement resources for a coordinated manhunt. Police maintain an active presence in vicinity while investigating the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized passenger departure.

Looking back on the Japan Air / Coast Guard crash Tokyo's Haneda

JAPAN AIR BOEING 787-8 JA838J (MSN 34849)

 

JAL flight 516, an Airbus A350-900, travelling from Sapporo-New Chitose Airport (CTS/RJCC) to Tokyo-Haneda Airport (HND/RJTT) was engulfed in flames soon after landing as it struck the smaller coastguard aircraft, which was waiting to depart.

All crew and passengers onboard the Japan Airlines managed to make what can only be described as a “miracle” escape after a horrific collision on a runway at Haneda airport in Tokyo that killed five crew members of a coastguard plane it collided with.

Once the captain of the commercial jet managed to bring the burning aircraft to a stop, its 379 passengers, including eight children, plus 12 crew fled the plane’s smoke-filled cabin by sliding down inflatable slides at its front.

The jet was soon entirely overcome by fire, with flames seen licking out of the cabin’s windows. The Tokyo fire department said 14 of those evacuated from the passenger plane suffered minor injuries including burns to the throat. Four were taken to hospital.

Sadly, five of the six people onboard the coastguard plane, a De Havilland Canada DHC-8, were killed in the collision but its captain managed to escape the inferno with injuries.

The Dash 8, which was on its way to transport supplies to Niigata in response to the Noto Peninsula earthquake, had taxied onto runway 34R via taxiway C5 as JL516 was on final approach.
After touching down, the A350 struck the DHC-8. The nose section of the A350 suffered severe damage and a fire erupted in both aircraft.

A former commercial pilot said: “I think first of all, you’ve got to say that we just witnessed a miracle. The way they got all those passengers off that aeroplane is almost beyond belief.”

Passengers on the Japan Airlines jet, which had arrived at about 5.47pm local time from New Chitose airport on the northern island of Hokkaido, spoke of their terror after hearing the thud of the initial impact.

Social media footage from within the cabin showed how passengers could see the flames at the back exterior of the plane through the cabin windows as it continued down the runway immediately after the collision.

Investigations are still under way, but what is clear is the passenger jet was “understood to have been cleared to land by ATC”

This is the first hull loss of an Airbus A350

The first accident for Japan Air in 39 years

The first hull loss at Tokyo's Haneda in 42 years 

Aircraft Information

Airline: Japan Airlines

Code: JL/JAL

Flight Number: JL516

Aircraft: Airbus A350-941

Registration: JA13XJ

Serial Number: 538

Engines: 2 x RR Trent XWB

First Flew: 20/09/2021

Age: 1.3Yrs

Aircraft Information

Airline: Japan Air Coast Guard

Code: JCG

Aircraft: de Havilland Canada DHC-8-315Q MPA

Registration: JA722A

Serial Number: 656

Engines: 2 x PWC PW123E

First Flew: January 2010

Age: 14 Years

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND STAFF AT THE JAPAN COAST GUARD

Swiss Air flight attendant dies after emergency landing

SWISS AIR AIRBUS A220-171 HB-JBF (MSN 50015)

SWISS Air has confirmed the tragic death of one of its flight attendants following an emergency landing. The incident occurred on flight LX-1885 on the 23rd of December 2024, from Bucharest (OTP/LROP) to Zurich (ZRH/LSZH)

While the Airbus A220-300 was mid-flight over Austria, the aircraft experienced engine issues and the cabin and cockpit filled with smoke. The crew were forced to make an emergency landing in Graz, Austria (GRZ/LOWG).

The incident resulted in injuries to 17 passengers and 5 crew members. One of the flight attendants required resuscitation onboard but sadly passed away on the 30th of December 2024.

Initial findings suggest the probable cause is likely a defect in one of the engines combined and protective breathing equipment.

Aircraft Information
Airline: Swiss Air
Code: LX/SWR

Aircraft: Airbus A220-300

Registration: HB-JCD
Serial Number: 55013
Engines: 2 x PW PW1524G-3
First Flew: 28th August 2017
Age: 7 Years 

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND THE STAFF AT SWISS AIR

Happy New Year

As we bid farewell to this year and welcome a new one, let's take a moment to reflect on the memories we've created and the lessons we've learned. As we step into 2025, let this be the year of bold dreams courageous steps, and limitless possibilities. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity for growth and let your heart lead you toward new horizons. May the journey ahead be filled with potential - trust yourself, stay resilient, and believe that the best is yet to come. Here's to a year of transformation, success, and making every moment count!

Happy New Year!