The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE


Tribune Chief Reporter


lrolle@tribunemedia.net 

A 35-MINUTE Bahamasair flight from Abaco to New Providence stretched to nearly two hours on Friday after a problem with the aircraft’s primary landing gear forced the crew to circle near the capital before using an alternative system to land safely.

The ordeal left at least one passenger praying and fearing the worst as the aircraft repeatedly approached Lynden Pindling International Airport without its landing gear coming down.

Flight UP136 had departed Marsh Harbour on Friday morning and was preparing to land in New Providence when the problem developed.

Bahamasair said the crew activated the aircraft’s alternative landing gear system and emergency response protocols were put in place as a precaution. The flight landed safely and no emergency assistance was required.

Abaco resident Jade Adderley, who was travelling with his wife and six-year-old son, said he first became concerned when he did not hear the landing gear deploy.

He said the flight had been uneventful until the aircraft began its approach to New Providence.

“The nose went down and he went to land,” Mr Adderley said, “but we went back up in the air again.”

He said the aircraft circled and made another approach, but the landing gear still did not come down.

Mr Adderley said that was when fear began to set in.

“A lot was running through my mind in the air for like an hour and 45 minutes,” he said.

He said he prayed as the plane remained airborne and thought about a recent aviation tragedy in Andros.

“Yes, I was praying. I was praying,” Mr Adderley said. “As long as I was in the air, we probably were good but thinking about the tragedy that happened in Andros, I say, ‘Lord, you mean it’s how we go’.”

His six-year-old son was asleep during part of the ordeal.

He said other passengers appeared to be sleeping or occupied and he eventually told his wife what he believed was happening.

Mr Adderley said the aircraft continued circling and travelled farther out to sea before returning for another approach.

The plane eventually landed safely, where passengers were met by emergency vehicles, including ambulances and police vehicles.

Mr Adderley said the pilot later informed passengers about the problem and explained what had happened.

“God was good,” he said.

He also praised the Bahamasair crew and the team at LPIA for handling the incident smoothly and professionally.

Bahamasair said in a statement on Friday that the aircraft experienced an issue with its primary landing gear while preparing to land.

The airline said the crew responded by activating the alternative landing gear system and notified the relevant authorities as a precaution.

Emergency response protocols were activated, although Bahamasair said assistance was ultimately not required.

The airline said the aircraft was subsequently repaired and returned to service.