Two Southwest Airlines Jets Make Emergency Landings at Oakland
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 at Oakland International (OAK) (File)
Two Southwest Airlines planes made emergency landings at Oakland International Airport Tuesday in separate incidents.
The first flight, Southwest Flight 3519, took off from San Francisco International (SFO) headed to Denver (DEN) but diverted to Oakland and landed at 7:07 AM due to a cabin pressurization problem.
The 737 had 143 passengers and crew aboard and made a safe landing with no injuries.
Officials said it was easier for the aircraft to land at Oakland rather than return to San Francisco.
The second plane, Southwest Flight 2899, took off from Oakland headed for Reno but turned around after a flight attendant smelled smoke in the cabin area about 9:30 a.m.
That flight also landed safely with no injuries reported.
Category: Airnation
The plane with the pressurization problem must have been a 737-300 if it had 149 passengers. These birds are getting OLD. Not old for a Douglas but these 737 classics don’t seem to age very well!
Actually Chris, the 143 seater is a 737-700 plus a crew of 5. The older jets (737-300) only hold 137 and yes, they dont age well. But during their service life, they are barn busting work horses.
Southwest has a deal with AERO-MAN in El Salvador to do heavy maintenance. Cheap is cheap and you get what you pay for.
(see link http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/third-world-mechanics-paid-2-per-hour-for-boeing-a/nDNwr/ )
This will compound the problems with the new ETOP’s rules allowing twin engine jet service on long over water flights.
Imagine the airlines will risk it all when an engine fails and fly on “ONE” for up 330 minutes to land at a suitable airport!
RISK MANAGEMENT?!…..for sure!
Rich Wyeroski