Mid-air emergencies often leave passengers in horror. Whether it is an emergency landing or bad weather, the dubious conditions while flying several feet high beat the terror outta passengers. A similar unfortunate incident occurred in a United Airlines flight recently where the passengers remained stuck in the aircraft for around 16 hours.
Owing to a medical emergency, the flight originally destined to reach Hong Kong made an emergency landing at Goose Bay airport in Canada.
After the unwell passenger was deboarded and the flight was set to take off towards its destination, a mechanical occurred. One of the doors of the aircraft jammed and could not be shut. As a result of which all the passengers got stuck in the aircraft at freezing temperature of -20 degree Celsius until the rescue team arrived.
Terrified passengers shared their agony on Twitter. As only limited custom officers were on duty at night, none of the passengers could get off the aircraft.
The rescue plane with mechanic arrived after 16 hours until then the passengers freezed and starved on the aircraft. As only limited custom officers were on duty at night, none of the passengers could get off the aircraft.
American Wrestler Retesh Bhalla popular as Sonjay Dutt was travelling to Macau for a wrestling event in the same flight.
He live-tweeted the entire scenario from the aircraft:
Might not make it Macau on time for EWE. A medical emergency rerouted my plane. Landing in Goose Bay, Canada, where it’s -20. A door broke, can’t fix and awaiting rescue for the last 10 hours as I sit in this place on a runway in middle of nothing Canada. We need help @united
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Please help us. This is an emergency @united. People are not doing well. Running low on food.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
It’s freezing, not safe for children and elderly. Please help @united.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Pilots giving out @united CEO email for us to voice our displeasure.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Goose Bay officials just brought on Tim Hortons snacks and water. We were running out of food. Thanks to the local officials for their help.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
UA179 rescue plane is in the air with new crew, mechanics, and gate agents. When they arrive, we hope to know more of what will happen next.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
I think since the time I boarded, I’ve been on this plane for around 17 hours. Over 12 of them grounded in -25 weather.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
On a positive note, I spent some time with an amazing seat mate on my 1st flight. Mary, 78, who is on her way to visit every country in the world. She’s at 170 countries currently. Mary had some amazing stories, we shared a great conversation. What a pleasure!
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Just hit over 13 hours. Some passengers are being taken to customs area to stretch their legs. Only 20 at a time. Waiting for rescue plane en route to us.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Hopefully they can fix it. pic.twitter.com/iKRB6TKxCP
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Now, we will get off this plane and switch to the rescue plane to take off back to Newark. It’s taking too long to fix the door on this plane.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Finally got off plane, got on a bus and now waiting to be taken to new rescue plane to fly back to Newark. 16hours since we landed in Goose Bay. pic.twitter.com/nBb0zKwOba
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Stepped outside to get on bus. The most painful, blistering cold ever. pic.twitter.com/xtLqDOHoBR
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Coming up on 18 hours since landed in Goose Bay. Boarded rescue plane, still haven’t taken off.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
Finally landed back at Newark at 6:00pm eastern time. Now, I attempt to get back to Virginia. The journey continues.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 20, 2019
To end this thread, I just landed back home in VA.
I’ll miss the EWE show in Macao on Tuesday. My apologies to those fans coming out for this debut event.
I landed in Goose Bay 25hours ago last night after flight diverted. Now, home to my bed. Wow. Thanks for following along— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) January 21, 2019
A by-air journey is one of the most uncertain types of travel you take. After all, nobody would have expected such an incident that left the passengers freezing on the plane!