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CLOUDY Temp: 61 °F Wind: WNW at 5 mph Monday, September 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 18, 2003 Airliner lands safely after in-flight scare An America West flight from Medford to Phoenix had to return to the Medford airport Wednesday morning after an indicator light warned of a possible mechanical problem. The flight landed safely and its 41 passengers were booked on flights with other airlines, airport spokeswoman Kim Stearns said. The flight left Medford at 6 a.m. Less than half an hour later, the pilot reported the warning-light problem, she said. The pilot guided the plane on a circuitous journey back to Medford to deplete its fuel so it wouldn’t have to attempt an emergency landing with a full fuel tank, Stearns said. The plane, which carried a crew of three in addition to the 41 passengers, arrived safely back in Medford at about 7:15 a.m. Airport officials had notified "all major emergency support," including the airport’s fire and rescue crew; firefighters from Medford, Rogue River and Jackson County Fire District No. 3; Medford police; Jackson County Sheriff’s Department; the county’s emergency management department; Mercy Flights ambulance service and local hospitals. Advertisement "Everybody was on alert" Stearns said. She said the response by emergency crews went well. The airport coordinates regular drills to handle potential emergencies. "We practice so when we have a situation, everybody knows their place and their role," Stearns said. Wednesday evening the plane remained on the ground in Medford, awaiting the arrival of a crew to ferry it to Phoenix for evaluation and repairs, Stearns said. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times