American Airlines plane landing.
Share this @internewscast.com

Frightening audio recordings reveal the intense moment when an American Airlines pilot made an urgent mayday call due to multiple issues affecting the plane just after takeoff.

The Airbus A321-211, heading to Philadelphia, had to quickly return to Boston Logan International Airport merely ten minutes after departing at 6:45 pm on Sunday.

American Airlines plane landing.
An American Airlines flight was forced to make an abrupt U-turn shortly after take-off on Sunday (file)Credit: Getty
FlightAware map and graph showing flight path and altitude/speed of American Airlines Flight 2616 returning to Boston.
Data from FlightAware shows the looping flight path as the pilot was guided back to Boston Logan AirportCredit: FlightAware

On a recording posted by LiveATC.net, the pilot informed air traffic control, “Boston, American 2616, we’re descending to 8,000 feet, declaring a mayday.

“We need to head back to Boston. We’ve lost the autopilot, lost auto-thrust, and there’s a position disagreement between the two flight management systems.”

The pilot further emphasized the emergency to ground authorities, stating, “We have multiple failures, including navigation and automation as well.”

He then stressed there were “200 souls on board” and “237 minutes’ worth of fuel”.

Data from FlightAware shows the pilot was guided by ground staff back at Boston, where he landed the Airbus 53 minutes after its original departure.

From the air traffic control audio, it appears a fire truck was ready on runway 22L, although the pilot mentioned there were no structural problems with the plane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now investigating what may have caused the mid-air failures on flight 2616.

A spokesperson explained, “American Airlines Flight 2616 safely returned to Boston Logan International Airport at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, August 17, after the crew noted a potential issue with the flight system.

“The Airbus A321 was headed to Philadelphia International Airport. The FAA will investigate.”

In a statement, American Airlines confirmed the Airbus landed safely and said the plane has since been taken out of service.

A spokesperson said, “American Airlines flight 2616 with service from Boston (BOS) to Philadelphia (PHL) returned to BOS shortly after take-off due to a maintenance issue.

“The flight landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power.

“The aircraft has been taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team.”

The spokesperson added, “We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans and apologize for the inconvenience.”

US on edge over ‘cluster’ of plane crashes

A series of devastating plane crashes, including the mid-air collision above DC that killed 67, has left Americans terrified of traveling by air.

However, aviation expert and attorney Jason Matzus told The U.S. Sun the crashes can be attributed to “random clustering.”

“While these events are tragic, the likely explanation is simply ‘random clustering,’ which occurs when multiple crashes occur over a short period, warping our general perception and causing us to think that there is an increasing trend in plane crashes,” Matzus said.

“When in reality these crashes, despite being so close together, are merely coincidental and not caused by a systemic safety issue.”

The short period Matzus referred to was just a matter of three weeks. The aviation mishaps included:

January 29 – A military helicopter and American Airlines plane collided at the Washington DC airport, killing 67 people

January 31 – An air ambulance carrying a 6-year-old girl and her mom crashed on a street in Philadelphia, killing seven people in total

February 5 – A Japan Airlines flight hit a parked Delta plane at Seattle SeaTac Airport and no one was injured

February 6 – A small commuter plane on its way to Nome, Alaska, crashed killing all 10 people on board

February 10 – Motley Crue singer Vince Neil’s private jet collided with another plane, killing the pilot and injuring four others

February 17 – A Delta plane crashed on the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport, miraculously killing no one but injuring 21

February 19 – Two planes collided at Marana Airport in Arizona, killing two people

February 24 – Smoke filled a Delta Airlines flight cabin forcing passengers to evacuate by a slide after making an emergency landing in Atlanta

March 9 – A Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft crashed into a retirement village parking lot in Manheim, Pennsylvania

March 13 – An American Airlines jet engine erupted into flames at the Denver airport, forcing passengers to escape onto the plane’s wing

MORE AIR EMERGENCIES

Sunday’s American Airlines emergency came just weeks after a United Airlines pilot declared a mayday after an engine had failed shortly after taking off from Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

The Boeing 787, carrying 219 passengers and 11 crew members, was heading to Munich, Germany.

But when the plane ascended to 5,000 feet, the pilot realized that they would have to return to the airport as soon as possible.

A disturbing radio call to air traffic control captured the pilot saying, “Engine failure, left engine. Mayday, mayday, mayday.” 

The controller then quickly responded and said, “Are you able to make your way back to the field at this time.”

With the quick work of air traffic control, the pilot was able to land in a safe place just 10 miles away from the airport to dump fuel.

After this, the plane grounded back at the Washington airport just 30 minutes past the takeoff time.

American Airlines Airbus A319 at an airport gate.
The plane landed safely following the distressing mayday callCredit: Getty
American Airlines plane landing in Washington.
The Airbus was heading for Philadelphia when ‘multiple failures’ struckCredit: AFP
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Man accused in death of high school cheerleader at bonfire shooting now faces murder charge: officials

High School Cheerleader Tragedy: Bonfire Shooting Suspect Now Charged with Murder

The suspect in the Alabama bonfire shooting, which resulted in the death…
Asking Eric: Wife struggles to keep holiday special after husband’s dementia diagnosis

Navigating Holiday Traditions: Wife Seeks Joy Amid Husband’s Dementia Battle

Dear Eric: My husband is struggling with dementia, and his condition is…
Suspect with lengthy rap sheet arrested for alleged Pam Bondi 'murder-for-hire' scheme: FBI

FBI Arrests Notorious Suspect in Alleged Pam Bondi Murder-for-Hire Plot

A Minnesota man with a record of violent behavior is now facing…
Court documents show murder complaint filed against Adam Beckerink, whose wife, Caitlin Tracey, died at his South Loop condo

South Loop Tragedy: Adam Beckerink Faces Murder Charges in Wife Caitlin Tracey’s Death

One year has passed since the tragic discovery of Caitlin Tracey’s lifeless…
ICE leadership shakeup exposes growing DHS friction over deportation tactics, priorities

Leadership Changes at ICE Highlight Increasing Tensions Within DHS Over Deportation Strategies and Priorities

A significant leadership shakeup is currently unfolding at the U.S. Immigration and…
Andrew Nuñez, San Bernardino deputy, shot and killed; gunman leads police on Upland, California Motorcycle chase on 210 Freeway

San Bernardino Deputy Andrew Nuñez Fatally Shot; Suspect Flees on Motorcycle in High-Speed Chase on 210 Freeway

UPLAND, Calif. — A dramatic motorcycle pursuit concluded with a severe collision…
Manager of famed strip club gunned down in street by former coworkers, police say

Tragic Shooting: Former Employees Allegedly Kill Manager of Renowned Strip Club in Public Confrontation

In a significant development, Santa Rosa police have apprehended two individuals in…
Many voters say health care unaffordable, are open to new insurance system: Poll

Poll Reveals Voter Concerns Over Unaffordable Health Care, Signals Openness to New Insurance Models

A recent poll reveals a significant concern among voters regarding the affordability…
Fort Worth police and Good Samaritans rescue baby trapped under vehicle on interstate

Fort Worth Heroes: Police and Good Samaritans Unite to Save Baby Trapped Under Vehicle on Interstate

In Fort Worth, Texas, police officers are being celebrated as heroes after…
Man fleeing immigration agents is fatally struck by a vehicle on a Virginia highway

Tragic Incident: Man Fleeing Immigration Agents Fatally Hit by Vehicle on Virginia Highway

A tragic incident unfolded in Virginia when a 24-year-old Honduran man lost…
'We're working on staying': Jon Stewart discusses his future as host of 'The Daily Show'

Jon Stewart Opens Up About His Future Plans as ‘The Daily Show’ Host

Jon Stewart is reportedly negotiating to continue his role as the host…
Mookie Betts' unheard of baseball transformation isn't getting enough credit

Mookie Betts’ Remarkable Baseball Evolution Deserves More Spotlight

LOS ANGELES — Mookie Betts, a future inductee into baseball’s Hall of…