Around 8:00 AM yesterday, I heard a commercial jet, much louder than I’d ever heard. I went outside and spotted it flying at around 3,000 feet – less than half the altitude of normal outbound planes. More, it was heading at right angles to Europe-bound flights. In fact, towards Antarctica.
Then, seven or eight minutes later, another plane on the same path. And another.
Turns out it was the same plane (at 2,550 feet :).
It went over six times.
And then flew back to the airport.
Why? Presumably a bird strike shortly after takeoff. One engine flamed out, and the hour or so of flying overhead here was to burn off fuel so the plane could land safely.
More here: https://archive.is/PFmYw
