Stormy Weather Sends TWA Flight to MidAmerica Airport
MASCOUTAH, IL (May 19, 2000) -- An unexpected landing Thursday afternoon at MidAmerica Airport had 142 passengers wandering at the beautiful airport.
Passengers from TWA Flight 519, which was diverted from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, were disappointed there were no snack bars or magazine stands.
"If (MidAmerica Airport) would open up, it would be perfect," said Kelley Dougan, who was visiting her parents in Murphysboro. "It's a beautiful airport. It's a shame that it's sitting empty."
TWA Flight 519, originating from LaGuardia International Airport, was scheduled to land about 4 p.m. Thursday at Lambert. The plane was cleared to land when the tower notified the pilots that they could not land because of a severe storm.
The plane, which had already been in a holding pattern for at least 30 minutes, did not have enough fuel, so it was diverted to MidAmerica Airport.
The plane refueled but was unable to take off again because it needed minor repairs, a MidAmerica Airport spokesman said. The plane was expected to remain overnight.
On Thursday, most airports across the country experienced weather-related problems, a Lambert spokesman said.
At MidAmerica Airport, a teen-ager played a soothing flute solo while others scrambled for private vans and limousines. At least one bus chartered by the airline picked up about 50 people. By 8 p.m, most had left MidAmerica Airport.
Three New Yorkers hitched a ride Thursday with a Clayton, Missouri, man hoping to make it to their children's graduation ceremonies at Washington University.
"This is stressful," said Gary Paluba of New York City, who had plans with his wife, Miriam, to attend his son Andrew's graduation ceremonies Thursday night.
"This is unbelievable," said Vilia Hayes, another New York City resident who didn't want to miss her stepdaughter Oriana Fox's graduation. "This has been one big joke. We were making our descent to land in St. Louis and then they announce we've landed in Illinois."
Most passengers were headed for St. Louis, but several missed their connecting flights because of the diversion.
Former Wichita, Kansas, Mayor Elma Broadfoot said she didn't mind the delay.
"They were concerned about our safety. You can't kill the messenger," Broadfoot said. "If there's a tornado here, I wouldn't want to land. It's better to be safe."
Broadfoot said she and her husband, Fred, hoped to find another flight to Wichita, but expected to stay overnight at a hotel.
Information provided by the Belleville News-Democrat
Melissa Moy Article
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