Serious airport emergency as plane hit by two separate incidents mid-flight
United Airlines flight UA998 from Brussels to New York was forced to land in the Republic of Ireland after two separate incidents were reported on board the plane. The United Airlines flight was forced to divert after two separate onboard incidents.
A plane en route to New York from Belgium was forced to make an emergency landing in Dublin after reporting two separate incidents onboard. United Airlines flight UA998 was forced to touch down in Ireland owing to a disruptive passenger on board. Adding to the woes of the flight crew was a separate, suspected medical incident.
Pictures from the scene show police cars surrounding the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner on the tarmac of Dublin Airport. Kevin Cullinane, Deputy Director of Communications at the airport, said: “Flight UA998 from Brussels to New York’s Newark Airport diverted to Dublin Airport this afternoon due to reports of two separate incidents – a disruptive passenger and a suspected medical issue – on board. “Appropriate protocols were put in place by Dublin Airport Operations and Airport Police for the arrival of the aircraft and Gardai, National Ambulance Service and HSE personnel met the aircraft on arrival. There is no impact on operations at Dublin Airport and passengers travelling this evening should plan to arrive at the airport as normal.”
Reports suggested both the unruly passenger and the ill person were taken off the plane. It later resumed its journey across the Atlantic to Newark Airport. A spokesman for United said: “United flight 998 from Brussels to New York/Newark landed safely in Dublin on Monday because of a disruptive passenger. Separately, a medical situation was identified with a different passenger. “Medical personnel in Ireland investigated and cleared the flight to continue with the removal of one disruptive passenger, one ill passenger and one other person traveling with the ill passenger. The flight has re-departed for New York/Newark.”
Last month passengers heard a “hellish noise” when a person was sucked into a plane engine at Amsterdam ‘s Schipol Airport. The individual – who may have been a passenger or an airport employee – was killed when they got stuck in the engine of a KLM Cityhopper Embraer E190 preparing to depart. Amsterdam Schipol Airport confirmed passengers and colleagues had witnessed the gory scenes. The airport is currently “caring” for those who saw it. It said: “Today there was a horrible incident where a person ended up in an airplane engine. Our thoughts go out to the relatives and we care for the passengers and colleagues who witnessed this. The Royal Military Police is currently conducting an investigation.”
