The pilot of United Airlines Flight 328 repeatedly called “mayday” when one of his engines exploded and debris rained down in a suburb of Denver, Colorado.
“We have experienced engine failures, had to run. Mayday, mayday. United, uh, 28, ”the pilot reported Saturday shortly after takeoff from Denver International Airport, according to the Denver Post air traffic control call.
“United 328, heavy mayday, mayday, plane, uh …” the pilot repeated before air traffic control arrived, asking him to repeat his urgent call for help.
“United 328, severe mayday, plane has just had an engine failure, must be stopped immediately,” warned the pilot, who was soon cleared to turn left, ready for the emergency landing.
The call came when his motorcycle went up in flames over Colorado, as caught in shocking video that quickly went online.
Other images showed debris falling from the sky and filled with black smoke – with huge chunks from the engine falling on the Denver suburb of Broomfield.
“Considering the number of people who are in Commons Park on a weekend day, we are extremely grateful that no one was injured,” city police said, a feeling shared by others online.
“It is baffling to learn that no one was injured or killed when a plane crashed in mid-air over a crowded neighborhood,” replied one follower.
Debris about 5 meters in diameter crushed the bed of Kirby Klements’s truck outside his house, while other chunks ended up in his yard.
“If it had been 10 feet different, it would have landed on top of 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 to Hawaii landed safely at Denver International Airport, and no one on board or on the ground was injured, authorities said – much to the surprise of many on board.
“When it initially happened, I thought we were done. I thought we were going down, ”said Delucia, stuffing his wallet in his pocket so that he could be easily identified if the plane had crashed.
“The pilot has done a fantastic job,” said Delucia.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the plane had a right engine failure shortly after takeoff.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Authorities have not released details of the cause of the outage.
With pole wires