Airplane From Russia To Cuba Stranded In ... South Jersey

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ — About 294 passengers and 14 crew aboard a flight from Russia found themselves stranded in New Jersey this week after a fuel leak was reportedly discovered in an airplane that was taking them to Cuba.

The passengers and crew on the Wednesday flight told a translator they were "shocked" at how friendly Americans are, according to published reports.

The Azur Azir plane made an emergency landing at Atlantic City International Airport to refuel early Wednesday morning, according to a report published by The Associated Press. When they landed, inspectors discovered the fuel leak in the Boeing 767. The stranded passengers weren’t permitted to leave the airport while they were stranded.

Many who were stranded said they were “shocked” to find out how friendly Americans are, a Rowan University professor who served as their translator told the Courier Post.

“I do think a lot of them were apprehensive about being in America,” James Heinzen told the newspaper. He said they were also surprised to find an American who knew the Russian language.

They were stranded for the majority of the day, from 3:45 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, according to the report. During that time, the American Red Cross provided cots and extra water for the passengers and crew of the flight bound for Cuba from Moscow.

Darya Hrybava, an events and communications specialist at the William J. Hughes Center for public policy at Stockton University, was also brought in as a translator, according to The Press of Atlantic City. She said they were happy to have pizza because they never had American pizza before. They were also excited to be so close to Atlantic City, even though they weren't allowed to leave the airport.

"CBP applauds how quickly the South Jersey community came together to support and comfort these stranded international travelers," U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Stephen Sapp told nj.com. "The travelers' vacations may have been delayed, but they have a great story of American community and goodwill to tell to family and friends at home."

Photo by Tim RT via Flickr Commons