| All's Well That Ends Well | ||
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January 6, 2004 A Continental Airlines flight from Narita, Japan to Houston, Texas, paid a surprise visit to Midway Atoll on January 6 when it had to shut down an engine due to loss of oil pressure. The twin-engine aircraft, a Boeing 777, touched down safely on Midway at approximately 2:55 a.m. with 279 passengers and 14 crew members aboard. The visitors spent the day napping, eating, touring historic sites, birdwatching, and playing games in the All Hands Club. |
| Continental chartered another airplane to bring parts and mechanics to Midway. For its own safety, the plane landed after dark when the birds are less active. After repairing the engine, refueling the plane, and embarking the passengers, the flight departed Midway at about 2:50 a.m. on January 7. News reports from Houston indicated the flight landed about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday afternoon with some very tired and relieved passengers. Several recounted not only their anxious moments during the emergency landing, but some unforgettable memories of their short and unexpected visit to a tiny island in the midst of the Pacific. |