A TPG Reader Shares His Experience Being Trapped Inside Air France 66

Sept. 30, 2017

•

4 min read

A TPG Reader Shares His Experience Being Trapped Inside Air France 66

The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Earlier Saturday Air France 66, an Airbus A380 enroute from Paris (CDG) to Los Angeles (LAX) was forced to divert to Goose Bay, Canada (YYR) after a major engine failure. Fortunately the flight landed safely with all passengers and crew uninjured.

However, the ordeal for the flight's occupants hasn't ended yet. The Points Guy reader Kent, who is currently on board the flight, has reached out to us to let us know that the passengers are still trapped on the grounded plane, which landed at 1:40pm local time (12:40pm ET.) They are now expected to be ferried out on different airplanes at 4am Sunday local time, after more than 14 hours spent on the ground in the plane.

First, here's how Kent described the actual engine failure as he experienced it from his seat in the middle of the aircraft (his text has been lightly edited for clarity):

Around Greenland and over the Atlantic Ocean, I felt a loud thud and loss of altitude. It was followed by a significant vibration that shook the aircraft. As a pilot, I recognized it as a engine failure and as the remaining A380 engines slowed, the vibration also reduced.

Within seconds, the flight crew began emergency landing protocols and people began to worry. Several of the passengers began to cry and ask each other what was happening.

Other passengers began pointing out the disintegrated engine and taking photos. According to headrest map, the aircraft descended to 28,500 [feet].

About 10 minutes after the incident, the pilot announced the aircraft was stable and he was attempting a forced landing at Goose Bay.

About 60 minutes later or 1230pm, the pilot made a short field landing with an abrupt stop.

Although Goose Bay is sometimes used as an emergency fueling stop for civilian aircraft, it is mostly a Canadian Forces Base used by the Canadian air force. As a result, despite the fact that everyone was safely on the ground, there was no way to then deplane either onto the tarmac or into the airport:

We have been stuck in the plane since. According to the crew, this airport does not maintain equipment to deplane an A380. They served a meal about 2 hours ago and put out all of the drink carts that have since been pillaged by passengers.

The pilot has made rounds around the aircraft and told us a 777 is enroute from France to take us the rest of the way.

Passengers have recently become frustrated and began challenging the flight crew. In response, they have opened a door and let people smoke cigarettes in the opening. Bathrooms are becoming filthy and in need of service.

We have no timeline or know what to expect next.

A short while after this story was published at 6:20pm Eastern time, Kent sent us additional info from the aircraft:

They just gave us an update. The first "rescue" plane from France is out 5 hours from now. The second plane is 2 hours after the first. They are not letting anyone off the plane till then...

An Air France spokesperson emailed us to let us know that the airline is sending one of its 777s, as the captain had told the passengers, plus a chartered 737. The first plane will leave Goose Bay (YYR) at 4:15am local time on Sunday.

We will continue to update our readers as we get more information, and we thank Kent for sharing his experiences from aboard the flight.

This story has been updated to reflect new information from the aircraft in Goose Bay.

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

4 / 5

Go to review

Apply now

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual fee

$325

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.