Shocking discovery on flight forces plane to make an emergency landing – what did they see?
- Replies 2
It's a scary realisation when there's something not quite right with the mode of transport you're relying on.
You know the feeling when you jump into a taxi and notice the car's suspension is a little off, or you walk onto a bus and it doesn't quite look fit for the road? Well, that panic and concern is a thousandfold when you're thousands of metres in the air.
When the passengers of Qatar Airways Flight QR899 boarded the Boeing 777 for the 14-hour flight from Brisbane to Doha, it promised to be an enjoyable New Year's Eve journey.
Little did they know, upon take-off, their trip would take a dramatic – and potentially dangerous – turn.
At 11:11 pm on December 31, the plane took off from Brisbane Airport for the multiple-hour flight to Doha, but it only made it 15 minutes into the journey before something went wrong.
At around 10,000 ft, seatbelt signs were switched on, and the plane soon headed out to sea, beginning a high-altitude holding pattern to buy the crew some time for the issue to be rectified.
One passenger aboard the plane revealed on social media what exactly was spotted on the wing: something 'white' hanging/coming off it.
The item on the wing was never confirmed, but it's believed the plane may have been missing a part or the part had become loose.
The pilot had been notified of this by the cabin crew and came to take a closer look, with a torch in tow, and soon the plane began its descent back to Brisbane Airport.
The captain took the aircraft out to sea to a clear sky and dumped most of its fuel - a temporary solution to lighten the load and make the delivery of a safe landing easier. (It is standard procedure in what can be considered a 'controlled emergency' for a plane to dump fuel before making an emergency landing to reduce its weight and the risk.)
Once it arrived back at the airport, it was confirmed by a spokesperson that the root cause of the issue was indeed an unidentified technical issue.
As we're sure you can imagine, those on board were no doubt feeling a little uneasy about their mid-air drama. Thankfully everyone onboard the aircraft was safe and sound, but the experience had surely left a memorable impression in their minds.
Qatar Airways apologised to those affected, providing hotel accommodation and resuming the journey at their earliest convenience.
Folks, while we certainly don't want to worry you, this story serves as an important reminder that journey delays and emergency landings can – and do – happen in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, everyone on board remained safe and sound.
If you're ever in the same situation, it's best to remain vigilant, stay calm and follow the advice of those onboard the flight. Also, be sure to check any flights you have booked in advance for any delays or cancellations, as it's always better to be well-prepared.
Members, do you have any tips or stories to share about travel delays or unscheduled landings? Tell us about it in the comments below! We appreciate hearing from you.
You know the feeling when you jump into a taxi and notice the car's suspension is a little off, or you walk onto a bus and it doesn't quite look fit for the road? Well, that panic and concern is a thousandfold when you're thousands of metres in the air.
When the passengers of Qatar Airways Flight QR899 boarded the Boeing 777 for the 14-hour flight from Brisbane to Doha, it promised to be an enjoyable New Year's Eve journey.
Little did they know, upon take-off, their trip would take a dramatic – and potentially dangerous – turn.
The flight was forced to return to Brisbane after passengers noticed something hanging from the wing. Credit: Shutterstock.
At 11:11 pm on December 31, the plane took off from Brisbane Airport for the multiple-hour flight to Doha, but it only made it 15 minutes into the journey before something went wrong.
At around 10,000 ft, seatbelt signs were switched on, and the plane soon headed out to sea, beginning a high-altitude holding pattern to buy the crew some time for the issue to be rectified.
One passenger aboard the plane revealed on social media what exactly was spotted on the wing: something 'white' hanging/coming off it.
The item on the wing was never confirmed, but it's believed the plane may have been missing a part or the part had become loose.
The pilot had been notified of this by the cabin crew and came to take a closer look, with a torch in tow, and soon the plane began its descent back to Brisbane Airport.
The captain took the aircraft out to sea to a clear sky and dumped most of its fuel - a temporary solution to lighten the load and make the delivery of a safe landing easier. (It is standard procedure in what can be considered a 'controlled emergency' for a plane to dump fuel before making an emergency landing to reduce its weight and the risk.)
Once it arrived back at the airport, it was confirmed by a spokesperson that the root cause of the issue was indeed an unidentified technical issue.
As we're sure you can imagine, those on board were no doubt feeling a little uneasy about their mid-air drama. Thankfully everyone onboard the aircraft was safe and sound, but the experience had surely left a memorable impression in their minds.
Qatar Airways apologised to those affected, providing hotel accommodation and resuming the journey at their earliest convenience.
If you're ever in the same situation, it's best to remain vigilant, stay calm and follow the advice of those onboard the flight. Also, be sure to check any flights you have booked in advance for any delays or cancellations, as it's always better to be well-prepared.
Members, do you have any tips or stories to share about travel delays or unscheduled landings? Tell us about it in the comments below! We appreciate hearing from you.
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