TOKYO, Sep 15 (News On Japan) –
A United Airlines airplane made an emergency touchdown at Kansai International Airport on September twelfth after a cockpit warning indicated a potential hearth within the cargo maintain, although investigators later confirmed no hint of fireplace was discovered.
Video from simply after the touchdown exhibits emergency slides deployed and plenty of passengers gathered on the runway as crew instructed them to attend.
The incident concerned United Airlines Flight 32 from Narita to Cebu, carrying 142 passengers and crew. Around 7 p.m., the cockpit warning system indicated a fireplace within the rear cargo compartment. After touchdown, all passengers evacuated, with 5 sustaining minor accidents equivalent to bruises. The airport quickly closed all runways, disrupting operations.
By the next day, about 50 flights needed to divert to airports aside from Kansai, underscoring the widespread influence.
One passenger stated: “They were serving in-flight meals, then suddenly collected them back, saying we were heading to Osaka. At first, I didn’t understand. Later the captain announced in English that we would divert to Osaka.” Another added: “There was no explanation beforehand. Just the announcement that we would make an emergency landing in Osaka.”
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism categorised the emergency touchdown as a “serious incident.” On September thirteenth, the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) dispatched investigators to interview the captain and others. The investigation continued on September fifteenth.
A JTSB investigator stated: “We checked the rear cargo compartment. There were no traces of fire.”
The board is analyzing whether or not sensors or hearth detection methods malfunctioned, and can analyze the flight recorder to find out the trigger intimately.
Source: YOMIURI