Debris falls from plane during emergency landing

Debris from a United Airlines plane fell onto Denver suburbs during an emergency landing Saturday after one of its engines suffered a catastrophic failure and rained pieces of the engine casing on a neighborhood where it narrowly missed a home.

The plane landed safely and nobody aboard or on the ground was reported hurt, authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the Boeing 777-200 returned to the Denver International Airport after experiencing a right-engine failure shortly after takeoff. Flight 328 was flying from Denver to Honolulu when the incident occurred, the agency said.

United said in a separate statement that there were 231 passengers and 10 crew on board. The airline released no further details.

The Broomfield Police Department posted photos on Twitter showing large, circular pieces of debris leaning against a house in the suburb about 25 miles north of Denver. Police are asking that anyone injured come forward.

Thomas J. DaCosta, 74, (EHPD, ret. Lieutenant) of West Haven, formerly of East Haven passed away at home on February 17, 2021 surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born August 30, 1946 in New Haven to John and Bernice (Hanley) DaCosta. Thomas is survived by his children; Thomas DaCosta Jr. (Amy) of North Haven, Jason DaCosta (Julie) of West Haven, Daniel DaCosta of Florida, Emily DaCosta of West Haven and Jack DaCosta of West Haven. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Patrick, Ryan, Charles and Nora DaCosta, a brother, John DaCosta of Shelton and a sister-in-law, Diane (Yanicky) DaCosta of North Branford. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Margaret (MacLeman) DaCosta, son Jeffrey LeBlanc and a brother, Joseph DaCosta.

Tom dedicated his life to public service. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran serving his country proudly in Vietnam and then the Town of East Haven for 37 years as a police officer. Tom enjoyed life, friends and his family. Tom always wanted to know when the next family BBQ or DaCosta/Hanley family reunion was. Tom adored his children and grandchildren. Tom enjoyed attending their sporting events and watching their activities. For many years, Tom coached Annex Little League Baseball, EH Youth Football and Sal Tinari Biddy Basketball. Tom was also an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish and had a passion for conservation education. Tom was a Hunter Safety Education Instructor for nearly 50 years. In 2018, Tom received an achievement award by the State of CT DEEP for his many years of volunteering. Tom was a long time member and former President of the Branford Gun Club. Tom was also a member of VFW post 2096 in Madison, CT. Family will receive mask wearing friends from 10:45 A.M. on Thursday February 25, 2021 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Those who wish for further social distancing, all are welcome to meet and attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. on the same day, Thursday, February 25, with full Military Honors in the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 80 Taylor Ave., East Haven. Burial will be private at a later date in the VA Cemetery, Middletown www.Clancy-PalumboFuneralHome.com

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Richard Leslie Hinman passed away peacefully on February 10, 2021, in New Haven, CT, surrounded by his family. He was 93.

Born on March 8, 1927, in Utica, New York, Richard was the only child of Mildred Durr Hinman and Harold Hinman. Richard grew up in Utica and, thanks to his grandfather, cultivated a love for the great outdoors, particularly fishing, camping, boating, and catching snakes. Richard developed a fascination with chemical reactions at an early age, which eventually developed into a lifelong passion for science.

As an undergraduate at Columbia University, Richard studied organic chemistry and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Varsity Rifle Club, and the Columbia Players. He also served as President of the Chandler Chemistry Society. He took a brief hiatus from his studies to serve in the United States Army in Japan at the end of World War II, then returned to complete his undergraduate degree. Richard went on to receive a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois and completed a fellowship at the University of Cambridge in the lab of renowned biochemist Alexander Todd. Following his years in academics, Richard joined Pfizer ultimately serving as Senior Vice President of Central Research in Groton, CT, where, in addition to his work, he developed some of his closest lifelong friendships. Post-retirement from Pfizer, Richard remained actively involved with a variety of local and national science organizations. One of his favorite roles was as President of the Science Center of Eastern Connecticut, which he was instrumental in creating. Richard avidly promoted his passion for scientific literacy and science education for many years. To this end, he helped found the Science and Math Jamboree (SAM-JAM) interactive education fair for school-aged children in Connecticut and served as tutor and mentor to underprivileged children in the areas of science and math.

Richard was also very fond of travel: studying the language, savoring the cuisine, and immersing himself in the culture of the many foreign countries he visited. Whether visiting the Potala Palace in Lhasa, wandering among the Great Pyramids of Egypt, or cuddling sloths in the Amazon, Richard treasured his world travels alongside his beloved wife and best friend of over 53 years, Rosalind.

Richard’s passion for science and travel was eclipsed only by his love for his family. He was happiest when surrounded by his wife and four children, despite occasionally having to admonish the overly rambunctious ones to “Pipe down!” He loved sharing in his favorite pastimes with his children, such as sailing, skiing, reading, speaking foreign languages, playing chess, building treehouses, and strumming guitar while singing somewhat in tune. Richard enjoyed gunkholing along the Connecticut River near his home, at times with a creative interpretation of water depth and tide level. He could often be seen behind the helm of his prized boat, Esmeralda, sporadically accompanied by Sea-Tow. Richard relished being the life of the party and making his loved ones laugh - which he did frequently, whether intentional or not.

Above all, Richard will be remembered for his wit and humor, his kindness and generosity, his spunk and curiosity, his “tell-it-like-it-is” nature, his unwavering thirst for knowledge, and his immeasurable dedication to his beloved family.

Richard is survived by his wife Rosalind; his daughter, Katie (Hinman) McHugh and her husband, Pete, of California; his son, Jeremy Hinman, of California; his son, Adrian Hinman and his wife, Cindy, of California; and his daughter, Isabel (Hinman) Carrington and her husband, Bif, of Connecticut. He also leaves his grandchildren, Will and Juliet Hinman, and his niece, Sayre Berman.

Richard’s wish was to have his body donated to science. A private celebration of life is planned for this summer along the Connecticut River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s name to the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven, CT, or Fenway High School, 67 Alleghany St., Roxbury, MA 02120

Benjamin Wilfred Tucker passed away peacefully on February 12, 2021. He was the beloved husband of Emily Tucker and adored father of Benjamin Jr., Lucretia and Samuel Tucker. Benjamin was born May 30, 1935 in Warwick, Bermuda to the late Eleanor Anderson Tucker and Benjamin Robert Tucker. He graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry in 1960 and a Master of Science in Chemistry in 1967. Ben worked as a Research Chemist for Upjohn, Dow Chemical, Olin Corporation, Arco, and Lyondell. Ben was a faithful and active member of the Mt. Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church for over 50 years.

The viewing will be held at the Mt. Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hamden, CT on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Proper COVID precautions will be adhered to. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Building Fund of the Mt. Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hamden, CT. Services of comfort entrusted to McClam Funeral Home, 95 Dixwell Ave. New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Tucker family, please visit www.mcclamfuneralhome.net.