Burris, Schakowsky ride out emergency landing unscathed

Sen. Roland Burris, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and White House social secretary Desiree Rogers were on a United Airlines flight from Washington’s Reagan Airport to O’Hare when they had to make an emergency landing in Pittsburgh on Friday.

“As the plane was taking off, Sen. Burris said he heard a loud bang,” said Burris spokesman Jim O’Connor. “Once the plane was airborne, they heard more loud noises, almost deafening. The plane started to shake. The pilot came on and said the hydraulic system had failed and the plane would be making an emergency landing in Pittsburgh.”

Actually, it was just one of the three hydraulic systems that failed, and the plane was able to land smoothly in Pittsburgh, said spokesmen for United and the Allegheny County Airport Authority.

No passengers were injured, United spokesman Rahssan Johnson said.

“Hats off to the crew,” Schakowsky said. “There was no excitement on the plane. The only indication that it might have been very serious was when it landed. The captain said, “I am very grateful to be here.”

Schakowsky is considering running against Burris for his Senate seat. She, Burris and Rogers were sitting in separate sections of the plane.

Burris helped an elderly woman off the plane, O’Connor said.

“He was primarily concerned with the safety of his fellow passengers,” the spokesman said.