Friday, December 16, 2016

Allegiant Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing At Chicago-Rockford International Airport: Plane Experienced Engine Troubles Shortly After Takeoff



ROCKFORD --   Sparks appear to be flying out of the plane's engine in a video taken by passenger Celine Neumiller

She and her family were on their way to vacation in Florida when their plane had to make an emergency landing

Her daughter, 12-year-old Hannah Neumiller spoke with us about the experience.

"It was really freaky and scary at the same time," said Neumiller. "My heart was racing and I didn't know what to do."

Allegiant Airlines flight 1671 took off a little after 5pm Thursday evening, but a couple minutes later, it had to make an emergency landing.

Shortly after takeoff, the engine ran into some trouble.

"The plane landed luckily without incident but there's a lot of damage to the engine and it appears it was from a bird strike," said Deputy Fire Chief Brian Kunce. "So a lot of the fins on the inside of the engine are damaged."

Although there were no injuries reported to the approximately 180 passengers and six crew members that were onboard, some were clearly shaken.

"I've always been nervous about plane flight," said passenger Paul Rothenbach. "I've always been nervous about putting my life in a device I have no control over and the last thing that I thought would happen happened."

Passengers applauded after the flight landed.

Emergency crews from fire departments across the Stateline area on the ground, prepared for the worst-thankfully not needed.

Another passenger, Debra Marshall, who is a flight attendant for another airline, says it's important we pay attention to our flight crew-they're there for a reason.

"Very, very important because you never know when it might happen to you."

Investigators aren't sure whether the engine actually caught fire.

Allegiant is sending another rescue plane to get those passengers to Punta Gorda.

Story and video:  http://www.mystateline.com

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