Runaway Horse Gallops Down Aisle, Forces Flight's Return to New York
Runaway Horse Gallops Down Aisle, Forces Flight's Return to New York - Horsing Around Leads to U-Turn in the Sky
What was meant to be a routine American Airlines flight from Chicago to Omaha took an unexpected turn when an unexpected passenger decided to go for a trot. As passengers settled in for the short journey, they were greeted by the sight of a runaway horse galloping down the aisle.
Incredulous passengers whipped out their phones, scrambling to capture the bizarre spectacle on video. By all accounts, the pony seemed intent on enjoying its impromptu taste of freedom among the clouds, oblivious to the chaos it was causing.
According to an American Airlines spokesperson, the horse had been loaded onto the aircraft along with other cargo bound for Omaha. However, it managed to break free from its handler and made a dash for the gate while the plane was being loaded. Before anyone could stop it, the horse had trotted up the jet bridge and onto the plane.
Once onboard, the excitable equine made its way through first class, greeting bemused passengers who found themselves face-to-face with the four-legged fugitive. It then cantered on through coach, Its hooves clacking on the floor as it broke into an energetic gallop.
Despite the horse's seeming enthusiasm for air travel, the American Airlines crew determined that having an unrestrained horse running loose posed too much of a risk. They made the call to immediately return to the gate in Chicago to have the unruly passenger removed.
After a short delay while wranglers attempted to catch the horse, it was safely led off the plane. The flight was then able to depart for Omaha once again, this time without any unscheduled stops related to runaway livestock.
While such incidents are rare, planes have been forced to divert or return to their origin in the past due to a number of surprising stowaways. From escaped dogs, to loose pigs, to kangaroos in the cockpit, cabin crews have found themselves having to contend with all manner of unexpected guests.
Most concerning are incidents that pose a more serious safety risk, such as snakes slithering out from under seats. In 2019, an Aeromexico flight had to make an emergency landing after a scorpion stung a passenger onboard.
For flight crews, handling an airborne animal escape requires quick thinking and adaptability. Remaining calm and keeping passengers safe is always the top priority. Tranquilizing or capturing a loose critter mid-flight can be challenging, so returning to the airport is often the safest bet.
Runaway Horse Gallops Down Aisle, Forces Flight's Return to New York - Four-Legged Fugitive Frolics Freely Down Airplane Aisle
For passengers settling in for a routine flight, seeing a horse galloping freely down the aisle came as quite a shock. But amused as they were by the spectacle, flight crews have to take a more serious view of such incidents. A loose animal poses a safety risk, so crews are trained to respond swiftly to contain the situation.
While it's easy to see the humor in these unlikely scenarios, we should spare a thought for the challenges crews face. Remaining calm and keeping passengers safe becomes the top priority. Captain Frank Martin, a 20-year veteran with a major US airline, has experienced his share of animal escapes over the years. He explains that as surprising as these events feel to passengers, crews regularly train for all kinds of unpredictable circumstances.
"We do simulation training at least once a year where crews practice dealing with security threats, unruly passengers, medical emergencies, and even loose animals. So when it happens, we follow our procedures just like any other emergency situation,” says Martin.
The goal is always to get the animal contained as quickly as possible. But attempting to catch a stressed creature at 35,000 feet poses risks. Tranquilizer darts aren’t permitted onboard aircraft. So for many crews, turning around is the safest option.
Patricia Banks, a lead flight attendant of 15 years, has had to respond to several animal escapes over her career. She recalls an incident where a dog wriggled free from its crate mid-flight and began sprinting down the aisle.
“The passengers thought it was cute at first, but then the dog became really distressed. It was running back and forth, barking and yelping. A few passengers tried to catch it, which riled it up even more. At that point, I conferred with the pilots and we made the call to return to our departure airport.”
Returning to the gate allows animal control officers to safely retrieve the animal. While inconvenient, crews agree it’s the best way to protect everyone onboard. Of course, some captains do elect to press on, if the animal seems contained and isn’t posing an immediate threat.
Ron Boyd, a pilot with 35 years under his belt, once had a cat escape its carrier during a flight from Atlanta to Denver. But instead of turning around, he opted to continue on.
“The cat made it about five rows then hunkered down under a seat. A passenger was able to coax it out and hold it on her lap for the remainder of the flight. Since it seemed content and wasn’t running amok, we were able to safely carry on.”
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While animal escapes make for amusing anecdotes, they can create tricky situations for crews. Just ask the team of Alaska Airlines flight attendants who found themselves saddled with a runaway horse on a flight from Chicago to Omaha.
What was meant to be a routine milk run turned into an exercise in wrangling when an escaped equine decided the friendly skies seemed inviting. But rounding up an excitable half-ton horse galloping through first class proved easier said than done.
Lead flight attendant Hank Greene describes the chaotic scene: “We were doing our pre-flight checks when a horse comes barreling up the jet bridge and onto the plane. This huge chestnut-colored stallion with a black mane. It started trotting up the aisle, all pumped up like it was running the Preakness.”
"Our first thought was making sure nobody got hurt. I’ve seen how much damage a panicked horse can do. Plus this thing was so worked up, it could have triggered a stampede.”
In consultation with the pilots, the attendants decided to immediately return to the gate in Chicago to have the animal removed. But coaxing the excitable equine off the plane proved challenging.
“Every time we tried to corner it and slip a leash on, it would rear up and bolt away. Almost kicked a few ground crew in the process. One animal control guy got flipped on his back.”
Ultimately it took three wranglers and a makeshift lasso to finally catch and remove the unruly escapee. The flight was then able to depart Omaha after a two hour delay.
While such incidents are rare, crews take even the most unlikely scenarios seriously. Remaining calm under pressure and keeping passengers safe becomes the top priority. For Greene, it was the most unexpected takeoff delay in his 18 years of flying.
“Never a dull day on the job I guess. Though I could have done without nearly getting kicked in the head by a horse at 30,000 feet. At least the passengers seemed to get a kick out of it.”
According to an Alaska Airlines spokesperson, the horse was being transported in a cargo hold but managed to break free shortly before takeoff. The airline said it is reviewing its handling procedures for live animal shipments.
Though chaotic, Greene believes the crew responded appropriately, placing safety first. “It wasn’t quite textbook, but we relied on our training. Getting that horse off the plane was the only way forward. Otherwise some passenger would have ended up hurt.”
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While air travel is routine for millions of people, it’s a novel experience for most animals. So when an intrepid equine manages to sneak onboard a flight, their reaction can be unpredictable. For flight crews, staying vigilant is key to keeping everyone safe.
She recalls, “I was doing pre-flight checks when the gate agent told me a horse got away from its handler and boarded the aircraft. Sure enough I saw it clopping down the aisle, happy as could be. Gave me a bit of a start seeing a massive chestnut thoroughbred heading my way.”
“That horse wanted nothing to do with leaving. It kept trotting just out of reach whenever we tried to grab it. You could tell it was getting more agitated. And with nowhere to escape all those sights, sounds and smells, I worried it might fully panic or try leaping over seats. We needed to get it off quickly.”
Eventually it took tranquilizer darts and three wranglers to restrain the recalcitrant runaway. The scene caused quite a stir, with passengers whipping out phones to document the extraordinary spectacle. Thankfully no one was injured during the escapade.
While such incidents are uncommon, crews take them very seriously. Safety training covers everything from medical episodes and severe turbulence to security threats and unruly passengers. But each situation requires quick thinking and flexibility, especially when animals are involved.
For her part, Gibbs believes the crew responded appropriately by moving swiftly to contain the risk. “It's one thing I love about this job - you're constantly adapting to the unexpected. Thirty-five years flying and I can still be surprised when I walk onto a plane. Especially when there’s a thousand pounds of renegade racehorse staring back at me!”
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For flight crews, handling an unexpected four-legged stowaway requires utilizing decades of finely honed safety training under pressure. But when confronted by a half-ton beast in full flight mode, even seasoned pros find their skills put to the test. Just ask Captain Frank Hayes, who faced just such a scenario on a routine hop from Chicago to Omaha.
Despite transporting countless horses over his 25-year career, Hayes never expected to come muzzle-to-muzzle with one mid-flight. Yet when a spirited stallion burst from its crate and galloped onto his aircraft unannounced, this consummate professional drew on his unflappable nature in service of protecting those in his care.
“We were doing final preps when I spotted a massive chestnut stallion trotting up the aisle, bold as brass. My first officer and I just exchanged wide-eyed glances of disbelief,” recalls Hayes, ever modest about his starring role in the unexpected drama soon to unfold.
While some may have found having an unrestrained one-thousand-pound beast careening about the cabin alarming, Hayes’ composure never wavered. “Your training kicks in and muscle memory takes over. Get the horse contained, ensure passenger safety, land as soon as possible. That’s all I focused on.”
Easier said than done, as the rambunctious runaway had no intention of cutting short its impromptu joyride among the clouds. Each attempt by crew to calmly approach and leash the animal was met with recalcitrance, as the excitable equine evaded capture by cantering down the narrow aisle with carefree abandon.
Its thunderous hoofbeats reverberating throughout the cabin, the pony appeared intent on liberating itself from the earthly confines of a cargo hold and fulfilling every horse’s dream of joining the jet set. Hayes, however, gently persisted, coaxing the spirited steed to a safe surrender.
“We didn’t want to further spook him, so I spoke softly and moved slowly. I think he appreciated it, as he eventually let me put a hand on his back and lead him off. But I knew we were lucky no one was hurt. Those hooves can do real damage when a horse gets worked up.”
In the end, the renegade racehorse reluctantly relinquished its short-lived taste of freedom among the fluffy white clouds, thanks to Hayes’ trademark grace under pressure. After handing the prodigal pony over to animal control, he completed the Omaha flight without further incident or delay.
Such composure is the hallmark of an elite captain like Hayes. While animal escapes may be rare, crews train extensively for anything that might compromise passenger safety. For this seasoned veteran who takes pride in bringing everyone on board back down smoothly, a rogue horse proved just another day on the job.
“We get drilled on all kinds of unpredictable scenarios, so when you’re in the moment you just rely on that conditioning. Was it probably my most unorthodox inflight diversion? Sure. But I wasn’t going to let one spirited stallion unsettle this captain.”
Runaway Horse Gallops Down Aisle, Forces Flight's Return to New York - Flight Crew Saddled with Rambunctious Runaway
While amusing for passengers, having a horse on the loose poses real risks for cabin crews. With a thousand pounds of agitated animal careening through the confined space at 30,000 feet, flight attendants must act swiftly to protect those onboard. For many, it’s a test of grace under pressure.
Tina Morris, a lead flight attendant with Southwest, faced just such a trial when a frightened filly broke free mid-flight on a 737 bound for Phoenix. “You could hear screams from the back as it came barreling up the aisle. No time to react before this crazy-eyed chestnut zoomed past us. I just pressed myself against the galley wall hoping those hooves wouldn’t connect.”
With the unnerved pony threatening to bolt through the cockpit, Morris conferred quickly with the pilots before springing into action. “We decided our best bet was getting it contained to the back of the plane. So I whistled and clapped, herding it toward the rear. A few passengers helped by waving blankets like matadors.”
After corralling the frenzied foal in the last few rows, crew used food carts to block its escape while waiting out the remainder of the flight. “We tried to calm it by offering some pretzels and stroking its neck. But with those wild eyes, it was ready to explode from panic at any moment.”
Upon landing, wranglers successfully tranquilized and removed the distraught escapee. And while rattled passengers recounted the harrowing ordeal, for Morris it was just another day on the job. “When you’re responsible for over a hundred souls at 35,000 feet, you expect the unexpected and just adapt.”
That capacity is the hallmark of a seasoned pro like Morris, now in her 29th year with Southwest. But she cautions that training can only prepare you so much for the unpredictable realities of working aloft.
“Simulators are one thing, but until you’ve had a hysterical horse charging at you in a crowded tube at 500 mph, you don’t know how you’ll react. You just rely on experience and intuition in the moment.”
That instinct prompted her quick-thinking cabin containment plan that protected passengers and prevented a calamitous stampede. “I worried somebody would get trampled if that pony kept panicking. Then we could have a real emergency on our hands.”
Indeed, while such incidents are uncommon, when a half-ton flight risk is introduced to the aviation equation, the potential for harm escalates quickly. As such, crews take the threat very seriously.
For Captain Frank Hayes, responding to an escaped horse mid-flight required the same composure as any other inflight emergency. "Whether it’s an engine failure or a giant animal bounding through the cabin, your procedures and muscle memory kick in. Get it contained, fly smooth, and land as soon as safely possible.”
Of course, following protocol often proves easier said than done. Morris has the hoof-shaped dent in the service cart to prove it. But she wouldn’t trade the challenges of her calling.