Jetliner With 52 Almost Lands at Wrong Airport
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A United Airlines 727 jetliner with 52 passengers descended toward the wrong airport today, but was warned off in time and made a safe landing four miles away at its correct destination.
The flight crew returned aboard the same aircraft to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and was promptly removed from service pending an investigation, the airline said.
United Flight 724 from Chicago to Louisville was within one mile and less than 500 feet altitude of Bowman Field--used by small private aircraft--and its 3,500-foot runway when air traffic controllers alerted the crew.
John Scharfenberger, a spokesman for the authority that operates both airports, said the pilot was warned and “immediately began turning away.”
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