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USC's harrowing charter flight

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USC players, coaches and supporters aboard the team's charter flight from Los Angeles endured a harrowing arrival in South Bend, Ind., on Thursday night. Several players, administrative staff and coaches' spouses said passengers were hurled out of their seats and hit their heads on the ceiling when the plane dropped while making an approach through a lightning storm. The pilot aborted the approach and circled before landing without incident, said Dennis Slutak, USC's director of football operations. Some of the passengers were not wearing seat belts at the time, but others said their seat belts broke. "There was a moment there when I was thinking, 'This is it,' " Slutak said.

Los Angeles Times

usc, AP usc, AP
Comment has been removed
October 19, 2007  08:44 AM ET

I unfortunately have to fly a lot and have had a similar experience. Nobody hit the ceiling, but we got up out of them a bit. Not fun. No sir. Not fun at all.

October 19, 2007  09:23 AM ET

Note to God: If you were trying to smite the annoying USC...ya missed, they lived!! Please try again on take off. And this time, make it stick.

October 19, 2007  09:53 AM ET

i hate planes.

October 19, 2007  09:59 AM ET

Just symbolizes USC's season!

October 19, 2007  10:08 AM ET

and that's why they tell you to buckle up on approach, especially during bad weather......same thing happened to me coming into Hartsfield in ATL......scary as hell!

October 19, 2007  10:11 AM ET

I'm an athletic training student at Southern Illinois University and I went with the football team to their game in Utah earlier this season. It was my first time on a plane. We hit some bad turbulence as we tried landing in Utah. At one point the plane dropped. Nobody came out of their seats, but all the same, for a first timer it was scary as hell. On the bright side, the players enjoyed it by putting their arms up like it was a rollercoaster and we landed without any problems.

October 19, 2007  10:14 AM ET

How embarrasing, I've soiled myself.

October 19, 2007  10:17 AM ET

As bad as they have looked as of late, as banged up as they are on both sides of the ball, this was about the only shot N.D. had this weekend. And I'm an LSU fan. . .

October 19, 2007  10:34 AM ET

That's just Touchdown Jesus trying to give his boys a chance.

October 19, 2007  10:37 AM ET

They should call this site USC and ND nation.

October 19, 2007  10:46 AM ET

I mean if the whole USC team died in a fiery plane crash they would still be ranked in the Pre-Season Top 5 next year.

October 19, 2007  11:00 AM ET

USC is not even safe from injuries riding a plane this year. That said, even if the whole team dies, I think they're still favored over Notre Dame.

October 19, 2007  11:34 AM ET

You can never tell about a flight when your hammered, you may experience the moment, but you never remember anything. I like that way, it's actually fun trying to take a leek on a bumpy flight, I do feel sorry for the next person that uses the head though.

October 19, 2007  11:36 AM ET

George: If Touchdown Jesus was giving his boys a chance that plane would have crashed.

October 19, 2007  12:45 PM ET

If the plane would have crashed and USC had to start there cheerleaders they would still beat ND. Matbe Charlie should take a flight only crash that might heip ND might.

October 19, 2007  12:54 PM ET

The Song Girls know how to play with balls.

October 19, 2007  12:55 PM ET

Pray & fly!
Pray & play! USC 31 Notre Dame 13
Pray & fly!

Can't help but think Weis had something to do with it? Something he learned while in New England.

Hope the Colts play the Pats at home.

October 19, 2007  12:58 PM ET

I wonder if a member of the Patriots' coaching staff was there to videotape this incident?

 
October 19, 2007  12:59 PM ET

I felt a disturbance in the force.....ND pulls the upset, and Pete resigns at the end of this season.

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