After beating Mizzou, Mississippi State’s plane had an engine fail and more travel troubles followed
Count this as one of the things you never want to know the sound of: a plane engine losing power.
The Mississippi State basketball team had quite a journey home after beating Missouri 77-74 in Columbia on Saturday night. The team flew out of Columbia and things soon turned scary.
Members of the Mississippi State team were kind enough to live-tweet the harrowing adventure from Columbia to Starkville, Miss.*
* No one was harmed on the trip
Unfortunately, I know now what it sounds like when you lose an engine while flying. Forced to land in St. Louis. Every ok. Nerves rattled.
— Gregg G. Ellis (@MSUsportsGregg) February 15, 2015Loud noise! Later, flight attendant.."Don't worry, everything is fine. We just lost an engine & need to land". Oh, that's all? Landed safely
— Rick Ray (@RickRay1) February 15, 2015Landed. Players clapped. Yeah, just had a prayer session.
— Gregg G. Ellis (@MSUsportsGregg) February 15, 2015Looks like a long night ahead. Absolutely no complaints. Better than a shorter than expected plane ride.
— Gregg G. Ellis (@MSUsportsGregg) February 15, 2015The team was informed that a plane was coming from Kentucky to St. Louis to finish the trip.
The latest ... Strong winds have kept the plane in KY from taking off. And apparently rooms are at a premium in STL due to Mardi Gras. Huh?
— Gregg G. Ellis (@MSUsportsGregg) February 15, 2015Off to Festus, Mo., we go for the night. I think.
— Gregg G. Ellis (@MSUsportsGregg) February 15, 2015What a beautiful, beautiful morning. Blue skies and sunshine. About to begin the bus ride home.
— Gregg G. Ellis (@MSUsportsGregg) February 15, 2015Manager Michael Boler learning German while he sleeps. Ryan Dotson now singing in C minor. #OurEnginesOut pic.twitter.com/vU06jT1JII
— Tanner Smith (@tannersmith5) February 15, 2015Can't make this up. Bus has a DVD player. We insert the only movie on board and it's in Spanish. Seriously. This trip gets better & better.
— Gregg G. Ellis (@MSUsportsGregg) February 15, 2015Yes sir and yes mam. @HailStateMBK about to pull into the Hump! What a 24 hours it's been. Grateful to be home. And intact. #HailState
— Gregg G. Ellis (@MSUsportsGregg) February 15, 2015The mechanical troubles for Mississippi State’s plane came just days after Missouri coach Kim Anderson was on a plane that had to make an emergency landing because of engine failure. Is eastern Missouri becoming the new Bermuda Triangle?
To reach Pete Grathoff, call 816-234-4330 or send email to pgrathoff@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @pgrathoff.