FLY-BY-FLIGHT

An American Airlines flight bound for Chicago departed from La Guardia Airport @ 8:15 a.m for what turned out to be a very brief fly by of the area Queens before making a successful emergency landing at JFK Airport @ 8:36 a.m. a mere 21 minutes after departure. The aircraft, a newer model from the MD80 series of the McDonnell Douglas 83 was reported by crew to have made a loud noise shortly after takeoff.

Federal Aviation Administration Spokesman, Jim Peters indicated that the engine of the aircraft's right side had failed. Known by those aboard as Flight 309 was immediately inspected after the Pilot safely taxied the carrier to gate where 88 passengers and 5 crew members departed the faulty bird unharmed only slightly worse for wear.

Photographs taken for further analysis on the inspection conducted by both Police and Aviation Investigator's revealed that pieces of metal, debris from the blades had shattered from what appeared to be the turbofan engine disintegrating. The remaining fragments of debris were located embedded in the fuselage as stated by Peters and apparetnly pieces were also located atop a home's roof in the Queens area of College Point.

A fortunate turn of events for those both in air and on ground in what has been a series of aviation mishaps, accidents and occurrences to take place of recent. Unfortunately other recent occurrences didn't prove to end in such positive light as that of those aboard Flight 309 did this time.

Jeannie Meredith