Elton John has reportedly been left shaken after narrowly escaping what would most likely have been a fatal plane crash. The 74-year-old was flying from the UK to New York for a gig when his private jet is said to have undergone hydraulic failure.
John’s quick-thinking pilot decided to return to the airport and requested an emergency landing. However, terrifying 80mph winds from Storm Franklin – which had been wreaking havoc across the UK – made their descent near impossible.
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The Pilot Made Two Unsuccessful Attempts At An Emergency Landing Before Achieving Success On The Third
After two unsuccessful attempts, the pilot finally managed to land the jet safely, much to the relief of all those onboard the alleged $89m vehicle.
It’s believed that the plane was greeted by a number of emergency services personnel, though, thankfully, their expertise was not needed.
One witness was left rattled by the event “The jet was being buffeted and couldn’t land. It was horrible to see.” Another told the media “The terrible weather and epic gusts made it almost impossible to land. Two attempts to touch down failed.”
“The plane was being buffeted and couldn’t make it. The aircraft’s nose was far too vertical. The plane was descending and was halfway along the runway when it gave up trying to hit the tarmac. It soared back in the air.”
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Watching The Landing Attempts, A Witness Stated 'The Storm Was Doing Its Worst'
“A crowd had gathered after word went around that Elton was in difficulty. And as the plane came around again for a second attempt to land, the storm was doing its worst.”
“The airport’s windsock was horizontal and the aircraft was being rocked from side to side by the wind. The pilot made a valiant attempt to get down with the jet ‘crabbing’ into the storm. But it didn’t make it and had to head back upwards.”
“It was only at the third attempt to land that the plane got down. The pilot made a flatter approach and the wind had dropped slightly. Everyone watching was mightily relieved.”
“It was a horrible thing to see, and you wouldn’t have swapped places with Elton on that small plane for anything. I bet he said a few prayers of thanks.”
Despite his hair-raising ordeal, John was determined not to let his New York fans down, and he soon boarded another plane, arriving just in time to make the gig.
An insider told The Sun “It was a white-knuckle ride and Elton was shaken. But he put aside any personal anguish to get back on a plane. For Elton, quite literally, the show must go on.”
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