The pilot of United Airlines Flight 328 repeatedly called it “mayday” when one of its engines exploded, raining debris on a suburb of Denver, Colorado.
“We encountered engine failures, we have to go back. Mayday, Mayday. United, uh, 28 “, the pilot transmitted shortly after takeoff on Saturday from Denver International Airport, according to the air traffic control call obtained by Denver Post.
“United 328, mayday heavy, mayday, plane, uh …”, the pilot repeated before the air traffic control started and asked him to repeat his urgent call for help.
“United 328, heavier, the planes have just suffered an engine failure, they need a turn immediately,” warned the pilot, soon obtaining permission to prepare the left turn for emergency landing.
The call came as his engine was completely engulfed in flames over Colorado, as he was caught on a shocking video that quickly went viral online.
Other images showed debris falling from the sky, filled with black smoke – with huge engine parts falling on the Denver suburb of Broomfield.
“Given the number of people at Commons Park on a weekend, we are extremely grateful that no one was injured,” said The city police said, a feeling shared by others online.
“It’s amazing to hear that no one was injured or killed when a plane crashed into the sky in a crowded neighborhood,” said one follower.
Debris about 15 feet in diameter shattered the bed of Kirby Klements’ truck outside his home, with other pieces landing in his garden.
“If it had been 10 feet different, it would have landed right above the house,” he told The Associated Press. “And if someone had been in the truck, they would have been dead.”
Despite the drama, the plane bound for Hawaii landed safely at Denver International Airport and no one on board or on the ground was injured, authorities said – to the amazement of many on board.
“It simply came to our notice then. I thought we were going down, ”said Delucia, who stuffed her wallet in her pocket so that it could be easily identified if the plane went down.
“The pilot did an amazing job,” Delucia said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the plane suffered an engine failure shortly after takeoff.
The National Transport Safety Council is investigating. Authorities did not disclose any details about what could have caused the failure.
With Post Wires