T U E S D AY | 0 1 . 1 4 . 2 0 1 4 | E X P R E S S | 3
Nation
‘We Landed at the Wrong Airport’ Pilots grounded after fliers end up 7 miles from destination
“It was surreal when I realized we could have been in real danger, and instead of an inconvenience, it could have been a real tragedy.”
The pilots of a Southwest Airlines flight that mistakenly landed at the wrong Missouri airport were grounded Monday, less than a day after they touched down at a small airfield that gave them only half as much room as normal to stop the jet. Southwest Flight 4013 was traveling Sunday evening from Chicago’s Midway Airport to Branson Airport but instead landed at tiny Taney County Airport 7 miles away. No one was hurt, but after the 124 passengers were let off the plane, they noticed the airliner had come dangerously close to the end of the runway, where it could have tumbled down a steep embankment if it had left the pavement. “As soon as we touched down, the pilot applied the brake very hard and very forcibly,” said passenger Scott Schieffer, a Dallas attorney. “You could smell burnt rubber, a very distinct smell of
SCOTT SCHIEFFER (AP)
Dallas
Passengers exit a Southwest Airlines flight that landed at the wrong airport Sunday.
The Investigation A key question for investigators will be why the second Southwest pilot, who was not flying the plane, did not catch the error in time to prevent the mistaken landing. Typically, the pilot not flying the plane is supposed to be closely monitoring navigation aids and other aircraft systems. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, but officials declined to elaborate. (AP)
burnt rubber as we were stopping.” Branson Airport has a runway that is more than 7,100 feet long — a typical size for commercial traffic. The longest runway at Taney County Airport is only slightly more than 3,700 feet because it is designed for small private planes. After the jet stopped Sunday, a flight attendant welcomed passengers to Branson, Schieffer said. Then, after a few moments, “the pilot came on and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry to tell you
— SCOT T SCHIEFFER, A PASSENGER ON THE SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT
In Brief
CHARLESTON, W.VA.
After Spill, Water Ban Lifted for Part of W.Va. Safe water gushed from faucets in West Virginia on Monday, a welcome sight for a small fraction of the 300,000 people who have been unable to use running water since a chemical spill five days ago. It could be days before everyone in the Charleston area is cleared to use the water. A federal investigation is underway. (AP) WESLEY CHAPEL, FLA.
we landed at the wrong airport.’ ” Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said grounding the pilots involved is common during an investigation. Both pilots are Southwest veterans. The captain is in his 15th year flying for the carrier. The first officer will mark 13 years in June, the airline said. Jeff Bourk, executive director of Branson Airport, said the Southwest pilot was in communication with the airport tower, which cleared him to land around 6 p.m. The plane touched down a few moments later at the other airport. DAVID KOENIG AND JIM SALTER (AP)
24%
The amount of Americans who signed up for health plans under the Affordable Care Act during the initial three months who are ages 18 to 34, according to government figures released Monday. Experts say that number should be closer to 40 percent to help keep premiums down, as young people generally pay more into the system than they take out, subsidizing older adults. Adults ages 55-64 were the most heavily represented in the sign-ups, accounting for 33 percent. (AP)
2 Shot, 1 Killed Over Texting Fight at Theater A retired Tampa, Fla., police officer was charged with fatally shooting a man during an argument over cellphone use at a Florida theater. A sheriff’s spokeswoman said two couples had been watching “Lone Survivor” Monday at a theater in Wesley Chapel, north of Tampa, when 71-year-old Curtis Reeves asked 43-year-old Chad Oulson to stop texting. The argument led to the shooting. Oulson’s wife was also injured. (AP) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
Judge: Doctors Can Give Medicine for Aid in Dying Competent, terminally ill patients have a fundamental right under the New Mexico Constitution to seek a physician’s help in getting prescription medications if they want to end their lives on their own terms, a state district judge ruled Monday. (AP)
SAVE LIVES TODAY Now forming teams for Nike Women’s Half Marathon DC, A Race to Benefit LLS Revolution3 Williamsburg Triathlon Jamestown Gran Fondo Hike Yosemite
www.teamintraining.org
•
703.399.2904