DALLAS, Sept 23 — American Airlines reported back-to-back emergency landings at Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport early yesterday as flights to Buenos Aires and Fresno both had to return due to mechanical problems.
On the first flight, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 plane headed to Fresno was forced to return to DFW airport because of mechanical issues. Flight 1359 was carrying 140 passengers and five crew when it landed at 12:21an without incident. No one was hurt. The flight took off later for Fresno, but it is unclear if the same plane was used.
On the second flight, American Airlines Flight 997 was three hours into a flight to Buenos Aires when the pilot reported pressurisation problems. The Boeing 777-200 jumbo jet was carrying 223 passengers and 14 crew and left DFW Airport at 7:58pm and returned at 12:23am, said American Airlines spokesperson Laura Masvidal. No injuries were reported.
Passengers said the plane had almost reached Cancun when the pilot came over the intercom to inform them about the problem.
The plane turned around and made several circles over the Gulf of Mexico to burn up fuel before returning to DFW, passengers said. — Reut
