I Was Just Thinking About Flying Home When...

OK, just to let you all know, I am planning to be home back in the States the end of July for a few weeks during my "compensatory time off." I have even got my leave approved, I have already bought the tickets (I figured with rising fuel prices and such, it would be a good idea.

I got my tickets through Brussels Air, one of the few airlines that actually fly to Liberia from anywhere.

Well, this shows up in the news yesterday:

Plane aborts takeoff, injuring several passengers and closing
airport in Ivory Coast

© AP
2008-06-12 00:25:34 -


ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) - A Brussels Airlines flight carrying about 150 people aborted its takeoff from Abidjan's airport on Wednesday night, and several passengers suffered minor injuries while making an emergency evacuation.

One of the pilots of the Airbus 330 told the passengers he had avoided takeoff after hearing a loud popping sound which he thought was a tire exploding. A fire truck raced to the runway and quickly extinguished one burning tire.

By stopping on the runway and blocking it at about 9 p.m., the plane caused officials to close the airport to all incoming and outgoing flights.

The pilot initially told passengers to remain in their seats. But suddenly the crew started shouting, "Evacuate! Evacuate!" The doors of the plane opened, and everyone raced down the emergency slides.

Several passengers, including this correspondent, suffered minor injuries such as bruises and sprained ankles during the evacuation.

The passengers initially ran into a grassy area alongside the runway, then some walked and some rode airport vehicles back to the terminal.

So what does a plane in ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast have to do with flying out of Monrovia? You see, it is the same flight, you either stop in Abidijan before arriving in Monrovia, or after you leve Monrovia, depending on the day of the week. It is a refueling issue. OK, for those of you STILL clicking on the blonde joke, it is the same plane.

This is a follow-up report I found on the situation:

An engine stall was experienced during t/o due to a bird strike. Aircraft veered to the right and t/o was aborted around 120kts. Left and right landing gear brakes caught fire. This was rapidly extinguished by the fire brigade. Crew decided to evacuate and deployed the 4 lh escape slides. Preliminary inspection reports no damage to aircraft + no deflated tires. Several brakes will be precautionary replaced due contamination with extignuishing agent. Engine external/internal inspection revealed no damage at
this point.Tech crew is indeed underway for a full check-up prior release of aircraft OO-SFN.

I just kind-of hope they get a new one before I fly out of here.

Y'all Stay Safe!