One Diverted, One Damaged

Under the watchful eyes of union leaders, national media and the general public, two Northwest Airlines flights were beset by problems Wednesday -- one mechanical, and one that appeared very much like a teenage prank on a grander scale.

Northwest Flight 1271, traveling from Minneapolis to Billings (MT) with 136 passengers aboard, was diverted to Billings Logan International Airport after the pilots received an indication of a mechanical problem. The Airbus A320 landed without incident, and passengers used portable stairs to exit the plane.

Passengers reported that they began hearing "strange" noise about a half-hour before landing in Billings. "We heard this flapping noise. The captain came on the intercom and said we were having hydraulic problems," said passenger Kathee McCafferty. Northwest provided a bus for passengers who couldn't find alternate transportation to Bozeman.

Kurt Ebenhoch, a Northwest Airlines spokesman from Minneapolis, described the problem as a "hydraulic issue," but declined to be more specific. He said such problems occur periodically, irrespective of any labor disputes.

However, another incident Wednesday looks to be a little more difficult to separate from the strike. While conducting a routine preflight inspection, Northwest ground crews found two landing gear tires deflated on a B757, according to Northwest spokesman Todd Morgano.

No other damage was found, but those two flat tires were enough to scrub the aircraft's scheduled flight to Minneapolis. Again, passengers were forced to find alternate ways to reach their destination.

The airline reported federal officials are investigating the suspected prank.

FMI: www.nwa.com