Hawaiian Airlines offered a very exciting flight diversion yesterday
Hawaiian Airlines Incheon to Honolulu Flight Diverts
Hawaiian Airlines flight 460 from Seoul Incheon was to fly on Friday, September 24, 2021. This flight was operated by an Airbus A330-200, almost 10-year-old with the registration code N386HA.
It was supposed to fly 4,577 miles in 9hr5min. However, it didn't go as planned. According to reports, one of the engines was showing low oil pressure so it was decided to divert. As you can see from a map, there are not many diversion points for Pacific crossings. If you zoom in really deep, it doesn't appear that there are many diversion points. Also, consider the remote islands with runways, even if they arent used often.
It was decided to divert to Sand Island, Midway Atoll (airport codes MDY). This atoll is located in the North Pacific Ocean and measures 2.4 miles. It is just north of Honolulu.
Hawaiian Airlines diverts to Midway Atoll
It has a runway of 7,800 feet, which is plenty long enough for large planes to land.
Midway Atoll Airport
The Midway Atoll is an area in the United States that is unorganized and unincorporated. It is the only Hawaiian Archipelago island that is not part of Hawaii. The Midway Atoll, as you might have guessed from the name, is approximately midway between Asia and North America.
The Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is located on the atoll. About 40 people live there, mostly staff from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and contract workers. You can't visit the atoll for tourists.
Midway Atoll
What did you do?
What happened next after the Hawaiian Airlines A330 safely landed in Midway Atoll? Hawaiian Airlines was quick to react:
Hawaiian Airlines immediately dispatched a rescue plane to Midway Atoll when it learned that the plane was heading in a different direction. It was an Airbus A330 registered under N381HA.
The rescue plane had mechanics who worked on the aircraft and a relief crew to fly it back. The passengers and crew then took the rescue flight back to Honolulu.
After being only on the ground for a short time, the rescue plane flew the remaining flight to Honolulu in just over three hours.
The original A330 remains on the ground at Midway Airport. I'm curious about how long it takes for the plane to be repaired and flown back to Honolulu. I'm also curious about how they switched planes. Are bags also transferred to the new plane? If so, did the pilots or flight attendants do this?
This is what the geek in me thinks is cool.
First, I am happy that no one was hurt.
As an avgeek I love to watch the airshows as I fly across the Pacific. I also enjoy looking at the tiny islands that we pass. Do you think it is wrong to secretly wish for a diversion so that I can land at one these airports? I would not wish for a medical diversion, as it could indicate someone is experiencing problems or a serious mechanical problem. But, something a little more minor.
It is best to be cautious about what you wish for. You might end up with diversions such as the one below, from years ago. This looked absolutely terrifying. Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-777 flew from Hong Kong to Los Angeles in an emergency. The crew was making preparations for a water ditching and instructed passengers to wear their life vests. The plane was able to divert to Eareckson Air Station in Alaska, which is a remote base on the Alaskan Aleutian Islands. The whole thing must have been quite scary, however.
One could also take the United Airlines Island Hopper which is a less distant version of some of these divertissements.
Bottom line
A Hawaiian Airlines A330 travelling from Seoul Incheon To Honolulu was forced to divert to Midway Atoll because of engine problems. The plane was able to land without any problems. Hawaiian Airlines quickly sent a rescue plane and maintenance personnel. The passengers could continue their journey to Honolulu while mechanics and additional crew could fix the plane and get it back to Honolulu.
Although flight diversions are quite common, it is less common to have a remote one.
Are there any OMAAT members who have had to fly to remote airports?
(Tip of a hat to airliners.net
