Logan Fire Trucks, Ambulances Line Runway for
Troubled Delta Flight From Bangor

BOSTON February 13, 2008--A passenger filled Delta Comair flight 5222 landed safely about 2:30 p.m. today after dumping it's fuel over the Atlantic Ocean as a precautionary measure to limit fire in the event of a crash landing.

Shortly after takeoff from a rain soaked and slushy Bangor runway, the pilot discovered that his wing flaps were not functioning. Temperature was 31 degrees at takeoff time and there was no icing on the wings. The pilot informed passengers in an unusually matter of fact voice that, "we have a problem with flaps that are not working, so our arrival in Boston is going to be a little bit delayed while we dump fuel before landing. I'll let you know a few minutes before we begin our landing procedures.

"It seemed that he lowered the wheels very early in the process," said Phyllis Connelly a passenger in window seat 3-D. "Visibility was very poor and we first saw the north Boston house tops moments before seeing the airport and the yellow fire equipment was obvious and plentiful."

Mrs. Connelly notified her companion in 3-C, who didn't have a clue and was still reading the voluminous Bangor Daily News, "those fire trucks are there for us!!!!"

At that point it was obvious the Regional twin engined jet was landing at an unusually high speed while racing past fire engines at every intersection of runway. There was no reaction from passengers. As soon as the wheels hit ground it was evident that the pilot was applying an unusual amount of pressure on the brakes and brought the plane to an uneventful ordinary stop. The alternative was to run into Boston Harbor or to spin off the runway into 20 foot snowbanks. The fire engines were seen scattering back to warm houses except for one that accompanied Delta 5222 to its gate.

An ebullient pilot emerged and told the Connellys they had just participated in a "full speed landing." It was remarkable how few passengers seemed to be even aware that they were on an injured plane and made an emergency landing of sorts. Barry immediately popped two of Dr. Older's Lomotil to slow the reaction!

Sorry, no pictures of the pilot, the plane, or the snow...on to San Francisco and Happy Valentines Day to all...