Good job, Captain!

[aletheiafelinea]

I like the idea of spreading not only bad news, so let's get something joyful today.

A few hours ago, a pilot of LOT Polish Airlines saved 231 lives, successfully landing a Boeing 767 with the wheels up, on the Warsaw Chopin Airport, a flight from New York. The plane's landing-gear jammed, so it had to glide on its belly. Everyone's generally OK, although there was also mention about one person carried to hospital.

Here you can read what CNN has to say about it and watch this video.

Watch on YouTube

Here you can get more videos and photos.

A few details less mentioned in English media. It was the first landing of this sort in the history of LOT Polish Airlines. From the state's border the Boeing was accompanied by two F-16. The plane circled for 40 minutes before landing, to run out of the fuel. Reportedly, there was no panic on board. Chapeau bas for Cpt. Tadeusz Wrona and the co-pilot, Cpt. Jerzy Szwarc.

Comments

[porridgebird.livejournal.com]

I just saw this on the political forum I hang out on. Good job indeed! Pilots are such special people. ♥

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

Reportedly, Cpt. Wrona's private hobby is gliding, and considering that gliders have no wheels, this problem met the proper man. :)

[eveiya.livejournal.com]

*shudder* Utterly terrifying to watch, but awesome job by the pilots!

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

Yes, and so good to see there sometimes are happy endings in real life.

[corrielle.livejournal.com]

Wow... I'd heard about that on the radio, but actually seeing it was quite impressive. My hat's off to the pilot. :-)

[aletheiafelinea.livejournal.com]

Yes, and it's a nice watching now, with knowing that's a happy end movie. ;-D