By admin 
GLENDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — A United Airlines flight inbound to Phoenix was forced to make an emergency landing as severe weather swept across the Valley late Monday night.
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A United Airlines spokesperson said Flight 2078 from Houston to Phoenix made an emergency landing at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale.
Officials said it was the “safest course of action” due to severe weather.
Rain and strong winds moved into the Valley on Monday night, disrupting air travel and knocking out power to thousands of people. Winds hit 68 mph near Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
Pilot searched for a runway
Air traffic control audio captured the pilot working through alternatives in real time. With Sky Harbor closed off by severe weather and Goodyear Airport ruled out, the crew turned to controllers for guidance.
“They’re telling me that I cannot land at Goodyear — not capable for our aircraft — so, uh, anywhere else would you suggest going, sir?” the pilot said in an air traffic control recording.
Controllers noted that Glendale Airport was too small and offered one remaining option.
“You have Luke Air Force Base, but that’s an Air Force Base,” a controller said in the audio.
The crew declared an emergency and set course for Luke.
“If you’re an emergency, you’re an emergency,” a controller said.
Cary Grant, an aviation expert and professor of aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, said the decision was without precedent in his career.
“It’s very unusual for a civilian airplane to use a military airfield as an alternate airfield,” Grant said.
Grant said he was thankful the base was open and available.
Passenger describes the flight
Gina Sullivan was among the 160 people on board. She had been returning to Phoenix from Houston after visiting her grandchildren when she noticed the flight’s path changing.
“I noticed we started going different patterns, you know, up and down and around,” Sullivan said. “I said, well, something’s not right.”
The flight landed without incident, a United Airlines spokesperson said.
“Next thing you know, we land and I’m like, well, this is not Phoenix,” Sullivan said.
Passengers were not able to deplane at Luke Air Force Base. Sullivan said they sat on the tarmac for about two hours before being bused back to Sky Harbor.
Sullivan said the pilot told passengers the diversion was a first for him as well.
“He said this has never happened to him before. This is the first for him, but he was going to make sure his passengers got on the ground safely,” Sullivan said.
The aircraft is expected to be flown without passengers from Luke Air Force Base back to Houston on Tuesday.
“We’re grateful for the support from the Air Force and our teams at Phoenix Sky Harbor for finding a solution for our customers on this flight,” the airline said in a statement.
Due to severe weather in the Phoenix area on Monday night, the crew of United flight 2078 from Houston to Phoenix elected to land at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona as the safest course of action. The crew worked with air traffic controllers and the flight landed uneventfully. We arranged for buses to take our customers to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
We’re grateful for the support from the Air Force and our teams at Phoenix Sky Harbor for finding a solution for our customers on this flight.
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