In a tale that could rival a Hollywood blockbuster, a cargo plane bound for Belgium found itself in a hoof-pounding predicament when a horse decided to go on an impromptu adventure, breaking free from its crate just 30 minutes into the flight.
The pilot, keeping his cool at 30,000 feet, calmly informed air traffic control, “We have a live animal… horse… on board the airplane. We need to return to New York. We cannot get the horse back secured.”
No horsing around, flying the plane wasn’t the issue.
Upon landing back at JFK, the pilot, perhaps in a bid for the horse’s newfound celebrity status, requested a vet, leaving us all to wonder about the equine’s mid-air escapades. To lighten the load, the plane had to ditch 20 tonnes of fuel into the Atlantic.
On the tarmac, the pilot urgently sought help, declaring, “We have a horse… in difficulty.” Quite the understatement! However, Air Atlanta Icelandic, silent as a grazing horse, in response to media queries, kept mum on the unfolding drama.
But fear not, dear readers, as this isn’t the first airborne animal caper. Remember the bear who took a stroll in an Iraqi Airways cargo hold? It seems animals are spreading their wings, or paws, causing delays and mild pandemonium. Next time you board a plane, keep an eye out for unexpected furry co-passengers!
