Thai Pilot makes miracle landing after 45 minutes in Typhoon Noru
After spending over two and half years grounded by Covid-19, people might forget that there’s more to fear from flights than being stuck in a potential disease incubator. This was especially true for one Thai domestic flight that took unwitting passengers through a part of Typhoon Noru.
Find out what happened to the plane when the pilot managed a miracle landing.
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Navigating Typhoon Noru
Passengers of Thai Lion Air flight SL628/629 were at the mercy of the storm on the 29th of September.
The plane stayed in the air for over 45 minutes as conditions did not allow for a safe landing at Ubon Ratchathani International Airport. That said, the domestic flight from Don Mueang International Airport to Ubon Ratchathani certainly gave passengers a ride to remember.
A TikTok user captured the scene as the plane circled the airport waiting for an opportunity to land. You could barely see the plane’s own wings as the storm raged on.
Screenshot: @zlatumibrahirudoid
The plane also shook violently as turbulence got worse. People kept their eyes on the plane in concern as the plane became the #1 tracked worldwide.
Image credit: ochan.tg
But thankfully, the crew managed to land the plane safely and smoothly.
Widespread relief upon touchdown
The moment the plane touched down, both crew and passengers breathed a sigh of relief. The passengers even gave the crew a round of applause for their safe landing.Â
On his Facebook page, captain Prakit Saikanaruck even shared comments and letters received by the crew after the miracle landing. All comments praised the captain and crew for their spectacular job despite less than ideal conditions.Â
Image credit: ochan.tg
In short, the passengers were delighted to have been taken care of by such a capable crew.
Passengers were in good hands
The fear of flying can be very real, especially when we hear of stories involving extraordinary circumstances such as these. Despite that, at the end of the day, airline pilots are incredibly well-trained to handle extreme weather conditions. They can land planes sideways, while drifting if need be.
So next time you go on a flight, you can rest easy knowing that you are (usually) in very capable hands.
Cover images adapted from (From left to right): @zlatumibrahirudoid, ochan.tg
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