Two Near-Tragic Occurrences

Over the years in our travels, we would usually fly on longer trips, because it would save time, and it was generally safer. However we had two events that were similar, although they were years apart.

In 1964 on our European trip to Rome, our group chartered an Air France plane to go from New York to Rome non-stop. To make sure not to miss the flight, our group hired a bus to take us to New York the day before. We had a day in New York with reservations at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel for the night. Very nice.

The next day the plane left on schedule with the destination for Rome. Also we were flying at night, and our tour was to begin shortly after our Rome arrival. At 3am the captain announced that we would be landing at Orly Field in Paris. We all had to deplane and go into the terminal to wait. Looking out the window as we approached the runway, I could see fire trucks with flashing lights, also ambulances, and other emergency vehicles. All the airports lights were on making night into day. We all deplaned, and then we were told that the plane blew a tire on take-off. We landed safely, and, then after 1 hour, we were able to board our plane to continue our trip to Rome. Now over an hour late, we were rushed off through the terminal to a waiting bus. Off we went to the St. Stephan’s catacombs without breakfast or comfort stops.

Years later we were on a trip to Hawaii, and we were island hopping by air from one island to the next. Beautiful Hawaii where everyone on the island wants to get to the mainland, and everyone on the mainland wants to go to the Islands. Dorothy and I were alone, and we were very happy to be able to enjoy all that Hawaii had to offer. Now on leaving one island with the plane taxing to take off, there was a loud explosion and a cloud of smoke on one side. Then the plane was aborting the take-off, and we were all jammed into our seats. The plane was able to stop, however, looking out the window, I could see the waves of the ocean. The pilot was able to turn the plane around, and he taxied the plane back to the hanger. The explanation was that we blew a tire on take-off. Then another explanation was added that a piece of rubber had lodged into the engine, and we would have to change planes to continue. Some of the passengers were very pale and frightened. Others were taking some pills, possibly Valium, to relax. We narrowly escaped a serious accident from either the engine exploding and burning, or not having enough runway left to stop.

As I mentioned before, God has His plan for each of us, and our job on earth was not completed yet.