A passenger has described the on-board atmosphere after an Emirates flight with 120 passengers on board was forced to return to Perth International Airport today.
The crew of the Dubai-bound Airbus A340 called an in-flight emergency to air traffic control about 7.50am. The plane landed safely at the airport about 8.45am.
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PHOTO GALLERY: Emirates emergency
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A Radio 6PR source earlier reported that smoke was seen escaping from the cabin. But a passenger on the plane told Fairfax Media's WAtoday.com.au there was no smoke visible inside the jet.
David Cairns was sitting in business class of Flight EK425 with his wife when passengers and staff at the rear of the plan noticed an unusual odour.
"They were worried that it might be the initiation of a fire or some electrical problem," Mr Cairns said.
"They checked it out and then the captain came on the microphone and said there were no longer odours and we were going to carry on.
"Then about 40 minutes later the captain came back on and said they had smelt the odours again and had decided in the interests of safety to come back to Perth and check the plane out."
Mr Cairns said while some passengers were worried, there was no panic. At no time was there any smoke or fire on board.
"I was sitting up the front in business class and there were no issues up there. The problem was at the rear of the plane," he said.
Passengers had quickly disembarked through the front exit, leaving hand luggage on board once the plane had landed.
They could see emergency fire trucks at the scene, and were waiting at the airport as engineers checked the plan over.
"They had the emergency services out here just in case there was a fire," Mr Cairns said.
After the stress of the incident, Mr Cairns hoped he and his wife could continue their journey to the Maldives and finally begin their relaxing holiday.
"The pilot did the right thing," Mr Cairns said.
"I would hate for something to have happened in the middle of the Indian Ocean."
The passengers on Flight EK425 disembarked about 9am.
Emergency services workers and several police officers then boarded the plane. It has been parked away from the main terminal while it is being examined by engineers.
Passengers are being held in the arrivals lounge, awaiting processing by Customs officers.
They will collect their baggage and either go home or to a hotel while a rescheduled flight is arranged.
There are no reported injuries from the incident.
A decision is expected to be made later today on when the flight may be rescheduled.
The flight had left Perth for Dubai at 6.01am, and was the only Emirates flight scheduled to depart Perth this morning.
An Emirates spokesman said the company would comment on the incident shortly.
(fonte:Brisbane times)
The crew of the Dubai-bound Airbus A340 called an in-flight emergency to air traffic control about 7.50am. The plane landed safely at the airport about 8.45am.
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PHOTO GALLERY: Emirates emergency
-----------------
A Radio 6PR source earlier reported that smoke was seen escaping from the cabin. But a passenger on the plane told Fairfax Media's WAtoday.com.au there was no smoke visible inside the jet.
David Cairns was sitting in business class of Flight EK425 with his wife when passengers and staff at the rear of the plan noticed an unusual odour.
"They were worried that it might be the initiation of a fire or some electrical problem," Mr Cairns said.
"They checked it out and then the captain came on the microphone and said there were no longer odours and we were going to carry on.
"Then about 40 minutes later the captain came back on and said they had smelt the odours again and had decided in the interests of safety to come back to Perth and check the plane out."
Mr Cairns said while some passengers were worried, there was no panic. At no time was there any smoke or fire on board.
"I was sitting up the front in business class and there were no issues up there. The problem was at the rear of the plane," he said.
Passengers had quickly disembarked through the front exit, leaving hand luggage on board once the plane had landed.
They could see emergency fire trucks at the scene, and were waiting at the airport as engineers checked the plan over.
"They had the emergency services out here just in case there was a fire," Mr Cairns said.
After the stress of the incident, Mr Cairns hoped he and his wife could continue their journey to the Maldives and finally begin their relaxing holiday.
"The pilot did the right thing," Mr Cairns said.
"I would hate for something to have happened in the middle of the Indian Ocean."
The passengers on Flight EK425 disembarked about 9am.
Emergency services workers and several police officers then boarded the plane. It has been parked away from the main terminal while it is being examined by engineers.
Passengers are being held in the arrivals lounge, awaiting processing by Customs officers.
They will collect their baggage and either go home or to a hotel while a rescheduled flight is arranged.
There are no reported injuries from the incident.
A decision is expected to be made later today on when the flight may be rescheduled.
The flight had left Perth for Dubai at 6.01am, and was the only Emirates flight scheduled to depart Perth this morning.
An Emirates spokesman said the company would comment on the incident shortly.
(fonte:Brisbane times)
