The longest flight: An El Al passenger plane en route from Israel to New York was forced to shut down one of its four engines due to a technical malfunction.
The plane's captain decided not to make an emergency landing in Europe, and the flight returned to Israel, despite having already flown for about 6 and a half hours.
This is El Al flight number 007, which had 340 passengers on board.
The Boeing 747-400 aircraft took off at 11:30 a.m. from Ben Gurion Airport en route to New York, and landed at 10:25 p.m. at Ben Gurion Airport, without incident.
According to the passengers on the plane, the captain announced that one engine had broken down and had to be shut down. In order not to cross the ocean with only three engines, it was initially decided to land in London. However, after two hours, the plane's crew announced that after further consultation, it had been decided to return to Ben Gurion Airport, because it would be easier to arrange alternative flights from Israel.
Passengers said that some passengers demanded to continue the flight to New York, but most of the passengers on the plane accepted the decision with understanding.
At this stage, El Al is preparing to fly the passengers on flights departing for New York.
El Al announced earlier: "Due to a malfunction in one of the four engines, it was decided to return the plane to land at Ben Gurion Airport. The plane is currently over Europe and is expected to make a normal landing in the evening.".
""Passengers will be transferred to alternative flights. El Al considers flight safety a top priority and does not compromise on a minor issue.".
Also on board the plane was a group of Chabad followers who were making their way to the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, zt"l, in preparation for the Day of Remembrance, which fell on Shabbat.
The news was updated at 10:45 p.m.
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