Early in the afternoon on Aug. 25th 2009. The first American Eagle flight from DFW has arrived at MHK. The plane has been loaded with

and is preparing to taxi when the tower tells the pilot to hold... a plane is requesting an emergency landing.

The view from the tower shows the Airbus A380 skimming above the tree tops. The crew reported a bird strike shortly after doing a fly over at Wichita for some of the companies that provide parts for the plane.

The pilot executes a flawless landing and throws the engines in full reverse thrust, air brakes in full flare hoping to stop the massive craft on the short runway.


The plane comes to a stop just before the end of the runway


With the A380 safe and clear of the runway Eagle Flight bound for DFW is able to leave MHK and climb thru the building afternoon thunderstorms


Cruising altitude of 32,000 ft is reached just north of Wichita. High enough to be clear of the storms.

The descent into DFW begins over the Red River.

Slipping under a building thunderhead North of DFW

Lining up for landing on runway 18R


Touchdown at DFW

Fatty fat fat? Or some other EMAW?

Inaugural American Eagle DFW-MHK flight comes to an end at Gate B 34
