by Monica Poling
Last updated: 8:35 PM ET, Sat September 30, 2017
Terrified Air France passengers bound for Los Angeles International Airport were diverted to Eastern Canada Saturday after one of the aircraft's engines exploded over the Atlantic Ocean. The A380 aircraft, carrying nearly 500 passengers, landed safely in Goose Bay, Newfoundland at around 1:40 p.m. local time, after the pilot made a "mayday" call to the airport.
[CALLOUT]
In an official statement, Air France confirmed that "the crew of flight AF 066 operated by A380 from Paris-CDG to Los Angeles decided to divert to Goose Bay Airport (Canada) following serious damage to one of its engines."
Although the exact cause of the damage remains under investigation, at least one passenger reported hearing a "loud thud" and a "lot of vibration."
When the aircraft landed, the engine had lost its cowling and Goose Bay airport emergency services employees reported they had to remove debris from the runway.
Although the Air France statement also said the airline was working to re-route passengers through one of its North American hubs, a journalist with Canada's CBC has reported that people are being held on the aircraft until a replacement plane could be sent out.
Users at the World Aviation HD YouTube site have released what is allegedly the recording of the mayday call placed by the pilot.
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