America West jet makes emergency stop in Hilo
Vibration causes one of two engines to shut down, the FAA says
Associated Press
HILO » An America West jet bound for Honolulu from Phoenix safely made an emergency landing in Hilo over the weekend after one of the aircraft's two engines shut down, officials said.
Flight 22, carrying 194 passengers, landed without incident at 7:51 p.m. Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The FAA said vibration caused one engine on the Boeing 757 to shut down.
Passenger Chris Corley said the problem was detected about 2 1/2 hours from Honolulu when a "clunk" was heard, followed by vibration. Crew members announced a mechanical problem had occurred, forcing the flight to be rerouted to Hilo.
"He came on with a very reassuring tone in his voice," Corley said. "It sounded like the crew was very well trained, and it gave all of us the impression that they were adhering to their procedures."
She said there was no panic among the passengers and that the landing was smooth.
"The pilot got overwhelming applause and then cheering from the passengers," she said.
Big Island Mayor Harry Kim helped arrange county buses to transport the passengers across the island to Kona International Airport, where they could board a flight to Honolulu.
Some passengers stayed in Hilo, where they later boarded a special flight that took them to Honolulu, Kim said.
Kim also instructed the bus driver to stop first at a fast-food restaurant to provide the passengers something to eat.
"What really impressed me (was) the passengers," the mayor said.