The pilot of United Airlines Flight 328 repeatedly called “mayday” when one of his engines exploded, raining debris in a Denver suburb of Colorado.
‘We experienced an engine outage, we have to turn. Mayday, mayday. United, uh, 28, ”the pilot sent radio to Denver shortly after takeoff from the International Airport, according to a call received by the Denver Post.
“United 328, heavy mayday, mayday, planes, uh …” the pilot repeats before air traffic control and asks him to repeat his urgent call for help.
‘United 328, heavy Mayday, planes just experienced an engine outage, needed a turn immediately’, the pilot warned and was soon given permission to make a turn left ready for the emergency landing.
The call comes when his engine was completely engulfed in flames above Colorado, as captured on shocking video that quickly went online.
Other footage showed debris falling from the sky filled with black smoke – with large pieces of the engine falling on the suburb of Broomfield in Denver.
“Given the number of people who are at Commons Park on a weekend, we are very grateful that no one was injured,” the the city police said, a sentiment shared online by others.
“It’s amazing to hear that no one was injured or killed when a plane crashed into the air over a packed neighborhood,” one follower replied.
Rubbish about 15 feet in diameter smashed the bed of Kirby Klements’ truck outside his home, with other pieces ending up in his yard.
“If it was 10 feet different, it would have ended up on top of the house,” he told The Associated Press. “And if anyone was in the truck, they would have been dead.”
Despite the drama, the Hawaii plane 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 people on board.
“When it first happened, I thought we were done. I thought we were going down, ”said Delucia, who stuffed his wallet into his pocket so he could be easily identified if the plane did sink.
“The pilot did an amazing job,” Delucia said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the plane experienced a right-hand car interruption shortly after takeoff.
The National Transport Safety Council is investigating. Authorities did not release details as to what could have caused the failure.
With Post Wires