CHARLOTTE — An American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Mississippi was diverted to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, due to a flap issue requiring a longer runway.
The incident occurred on Monday when the pilot announced that the plane was experiencing trouble with its wing flaps, necessitating an emergency landing at a military base.
“I send a message to my kids, just on the off chance something goes wrong,” said passenger April Rivas, expressing her fear during the flight.
April Rivas, a frequent flyer from Stokes County, North Carolina, was on a business trip when the flight was diverted.
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According to Rivas, the flight attendants informed passengers that an evacuation was not anticipated, but they should prepare nonetheless.
Rivas expressed frustration with the lack of follow-up from American Airlines after the incident, stating, “It was like, Okay, you’re alive, you’re good, or we’re done.”
American Airlines released a statement saying the flight was diverted due to maintenance and apologized for the inconvenience, but Rivas questioned the truthfulness of this explanation.
Passengers were safely landed and rebooked for a flight the following day, but concerns remain about the airline’s communication and response to the incident.
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