UA99 (MEL-LAX) - Forced to Divert to Noumea, New Caledonia -- 25 March 2019
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Coast NSW, Australia
Programs: UA and SQ; Hilton, Fairmont, Marriott, Rydges Priority
Posts: 290
UA99 (MEL-LAX) - Forced to Divert to Noumea, New Caledonia -- 25 March 2019
https://www.smh.com.au/national/smel...25-p517h8.html
obviously a file photo in the report.
onward flight to LAX cancelled
obviously a file photo in the report.
onward flight to LAX cancelled
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
It's all over the news now. Reports that the 256 pax will overnight in Noumea. There are worse places.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/e...e-from-cockpit
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/e...e-from-cockpit
#3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Premier Plat (1.2 MM), Hertz PC, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, GE
Posts: 154
Emergency landing here in Noumea, New Caledonia due to smoke in the cockpit. Landed safely without incident. However, it was a bit unsettling to see the aircraft dumping fuel over the ocean before landing. Also, it was my first time seeing the flight attendants demonstrate how to do the "brace position". Hope to get more info on when we can leave the island (hopefully tomorrow morning). New Caledonia is a beautiful place. United and the people of New Caledonia have taken good care of us.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Wow, I was on the previous flight on Sunday. Other than a slight delay out of MEL, it went fine.
I was amazed at how friendly the UA staff was, both on 98 and 99. This has not been my experience on previous UA longhaul flights.
I was amazed at how friendly the UA staff was, both on 98 and 99. This has not been my experience on previous UA longhaul flights.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,412
It's all over the news now. Reports that the 256 pax will overnight in Noumea. There are worse places.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/e...e-from-cockpit
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/e...e-from-cockpit
#6
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,355
I simply put it down to bad journalism.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
Emergency landing here in Noumea, New Caledonia due to smoke in the cockpit. Landed safely without incident. However, it was a bit unsettling to see the aircraft dumping fuel over the ocean before landing. Also, it was my first time seeing the flight attendants demonstrate how to do the "brace position". Hope to get more info on when we can leave the island (hopefully tomorrow morning). New Caledonia is a beautiful place. United and the people of New Caledonia have taken good care of us.
Always amazes me at the number of times an issue is posted with a specific flight, and turns out a FlyerTalker was on board to provide an update...
#8
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
UA got creative in getting these pax back to LAX, big props for that.
The original UA99 that diverted (N15969) is going to ferry back to LAX empty tomorrow as UA2740.
To get the stranded passengers back to LAX UA has cancelled UA842 on 26 MAR and will ferry that plane (N35953), currently in route to SYD as UA839, to NOU as UA2739 to pick up the stranded passengers and then depart for LAX as UA2829 arriving in LAX at 0817 on 26 March.
The original UA99 that diverted (N15969) is going to ferry back to LAX empty tomorrow as UA2740.
To get the stranded passengers back to LAX UA has cancelled UA842 on 26 MAR and will ferry that plane (N35953), currently in route to SYD as UA839, to NOU as UA2739 to pick up the stranded passengers and then depart for LAX as UA2829 arriving in LAX at 0817 on 26 March.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Premier Plat (1.2 MM), Hertz PC, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, GE
Posts: 154
UA got creative in getting these pax back to LAX, big props for that.
The original UA99 that diverted (N15969) is going to ferry back to LAX empty tomorrow as UA2740.
To get the stranded passengers back to LAX UA has cancelled UA842 on 26 MAR and will ferry that plane (N35953), currently in route to SYD as UA839, to NOU as UA2739 to pick up the stranded passengers and then depart for LAX as UA2829 arriving in LAX at 0817 on 26 March.
The original UA99 that diverted (N15969) is going to ferry back to LAX empty tomorrow as UA2740.
To get the stranded passengers back to LAX UA has cancelled UA842 on 26 MAR and will ferry that plane (N35953), currently in route to SYD as UA839, to NOU as UA2739 to pick up the stranded passengers and then depart for LAX as UA2829 arriving in LAX at 0817 on 26 March.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Emergency landing here in Noumea, New Caledonia due to smoke in the cockpit. Landed safely without incident. However, it was a bit unsettling to see the aircraft dumping fuel over the ocean before landing. Also, it was my first time seeing the flight attendants demonstrate how to do the "brace position". Hope to get more info on when we can leave the island (hopefully tomorrow morning). New Caledonia is a beautiful place. United and the people of New Caledonia have taken good care of us.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Premier Plat (1.2 MM), Hertz PC, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, GE
Posts: 154
Just curious, why is a brace needed? It sounds like this wasn't an emergency landing as the pilots had time to dump fuel. So I would assume it was "just" another landing. I would think if smoke in the cockpit was severe enough that pilots might have imparied judgement landing, the flight would immediately land.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458
Just curious, why is a brace needed? It sounds like this wasn't an emergency landing as the pilots had time to dump fuel. So I would assume it was "just" another landing. I would think if smoke in the cockpit was severe enough that pilots might have imparied judgement landing, the flight would immediately land.