Sat, Oct 20, 2007
Plane Goes Through "Roller Coaster Drop" On Approach Into
SBN
A chartered aircraft carrying the University of Southern
California football team encountered dicey weather conditions on
landing Thursday night in South Bend, IN.
The Associated Press reports the aircraft 'plummeted' due to
extreme turbulence encountered during a severe thunderstorm, and
that the pilot had to go-around on the first attempt to land. The
aircraft touched down safely on the second attempt just before 2100
local time.
USC sports information director Tim Tessalone told the AP some
of the 125 people onboard the Delta Air Lines 767 were tossed from
their seats by the rough ride.
"It was a little bit of a roller coaster drop there for a
minute," Tessalone said. "We had some people fly out of some seats.
Everybody is fine, but it was a frightening little dip there."
The players -- used to showing strength on the field, as seen in
the Trojans' 5-1 record through Week 7 of the 2007 schedule --
readily admitted to being scared out of their wits during the
flight.
"That was terrifying," USC fullback Stanley Havili said. "I
thought I was going to die."
There were no injuries onboard, except for defensive end
Lawrence Jackson... who pierced the inside of his mouth with a
Popsicle stick during the drop.
"It wasn't the worst flight I've ever been on," quarterback John
David Booty said. "But it was definitely the biggest drop."
Fortunately for the Trojans, the team faces a far less
frightening situation for Saturday -- a game against the hapless
Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who are 1-6 on the year.
More News
With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]