The MD-80 is currently orbiting the airport, burning off excess fuel with its nose gear about 70 retracted. It just made a fly-by so a clearer view can be seen of the nose gear.Gear trouble diverts flight from West Palm Beach to Miami
By ROCHELLE E. B. GILKEN
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 22, 2008
WEST PALM BEACH — By ROCHELLE E.B. GILKEN
WEST PALM BEACH — American Airlines Flight 862 had a nose gear problem and was diverted to Miami International airport after taking off from Palm Beach International Airport at about 2:20 p.m. today.
According to Palm Beach airport spokeswoman Sandy Davis, the pilot told air traffic control dispatchers that the nose gear light activated in the cockpit, indicating there was a problem.
Dispatchers looked up at the plane and told the pilot the nose gear was down in the correct position for landing, but the pilot decided to keep going to Miami, Davis said. There are at least 130 people on the plane.
The flight left Palm Beach for Chicago at 1:56 p.m. Davis said she thinks the plane went to Miami because the airline's maintenance workers are there.
This will most likely turn out very well for all concerned.
Just a heads-up, if anyone has interest. It's on the major cable networks in the US right now.
