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Air drama: The Delta Airways passenger jet made a safe landing on the tarmac at JFK, despite its right landing gear becoming stuckA pilot has been hailed a hero for landing a packed passenger jet on one wheel after its landing gear got stuck on its approach to New York's JFK airport.
A shower of sparks was seen as the plane touched down on the tarmac but all 60 passengers and four crew on the Delta Airlines flight escaped unharmed.
It is thought that the pilot had balanced the jet on its left wheel then slowly eased it on to its right wing to slow it down.
The relieved passengers were evacuated through the main door and were taken to the terminal where they were checked over and released shortly afterwards.
** See the terrifying video below ***
The incredible feat drew parallels with that of pilot Chesley Sullenberger who landed a passenger jet on the Hudson River last year when its engines failed, saving all 155 on board.
It was on Saturday night as the Delta Airlines flight 4951 was close to landing in White Plains, New York, when an indicator light in the cockpit went on, indicating the right landing wheel would not come down.
Immediately the pilot diverted to JFK because it has a longer runway and warned the 60 passengers and three crew: ‘Brace for landing’.
Terror: Sparks are seen from a passenger window as the plane touched downHe calmly told air traffic control that his landing gear would not come down then, referring to his flight number, said what could have been his last words: ‘4951 Roger and, uh better work’.
‘Heads down! Heads down!’ a flight attendant screamed as the CRJ 900 twin-engine jet slammed on the runway and slid to a stop, leaning to its right side.
Specially trained firefighters had been put on alert - but the pilot’s landing meant they were not needed.
All the passengers were taken to the terminal and checked over before being put on a bus for White Plains, but they were full of praise for the man who saved their lives.
'I've never prayed so hard in my whole life,' said Loretta Hill, 39, from Milford in Connecticut.
‘I was just crying and praying to God that we would be okay.
‘He must have balanced it on one wheel then eased it over to the right wing so he did a great job,’ said one man who was on board.
‘I knew there was a problem when we continued circling,’ said David Freda, 49.
‘At first, I was pretty nervous, no doubt about it. It's been a bit nerve-wracking. Everyone's okay.’
The plane had taken off from Atlanta and had been on a connecting flight for Delta operated by Atlantic Southeastern Airlines.
A Delta spokesman said that Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been called to investigate.
It is not immediately clear what caused the accident, he added.
source: dailymail
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