The P-8A, with just two crew members aboard, was conducting circuit training when the incident occurred
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon had to make an emergency landing at Corpus Christi International Airport, Texas on Nov. 6 after its left engine caught fire.
The aircraft, with just two crew members aboard, was conducting circuit training when the incident occurred.
As reported by Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Kim Bridger-Hunt, marketing manager for the airport, said she saw the aircraft through a window in the airport and assumed it was taking off from the airport because it was low to the ground with its nose up.
“We heard the booms and saw the flames coming out of the engine,” Bridger-Hunt said. “That’s when we knew something serious was going on.”
According to John Hyland, chief of public safety for the airport, the Poseidon landed about 11:55 a.m. at the airport.
Hyland added the Corpus Christi police and fire departments, the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office and airport officials responded and controlled the fire, and turn off the engine.
At 1 p.m. the airport resumed regular operations, Hyland said. He explained the P-8A only slowed operations at the airport, while a more serious incident would have caused the airport to shut down.
“It is now a mechanical issue,” Hyland said.
Currently, the Poseidon is parked in the general aviation ramps at the airport, where a mechanic will work on it.
Liz Feaster, public affairs officer at Chief of Naval Air Training based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, said the aircraft was not a Navy trainer with Naval Air Station Corpus Christi or Naval Air Station Kingsville.
“We don’t know where it came from and what it’s doing here,” Feaster said.
Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Morin / U.S. Navy and Tech. Sgt. Kat Justen / U.S. Air Force
