MASCOUTAH, Ill. — A TWA jetliner made an emergency landing without its nose landing gear Thursday night. The airline said none of the 71 passengers and five crew was injured.

Flight 519 from Nashville, Tenn., to St. Louis diverted from Lambert Airport to MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, 25 miles to the east, where firefighters covered the runway with foam to prevent fire.

"I think there were a number of people on the plane that expected to die," said passenger Bob Burdorff, an engineer from Wichita, Kan., who was heading home from Nashville.

View Comments

"I have to compliment the pilot," Burdorff said.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.