Panic in the Skies as Flight Forced to Return
A long-haul United Airlines flight embarking on a 16-hour journey from San Francisco to Hong Kong was dramatically aborted on Tuesday afternoon after smoke was seen billowing from the aircraft and a foul, burning odour permeated the cabin. The incident, involving flight UA 869, sparked considerable alarm amongst the 336 passengers on board, forcing the pilot to make the decisive call to return to the airport shortly after takeoff.
Passenger Accounts of Onboard Emergency
According to passenger Vincent Goh, who spoke to Business Insider, the terrifying situation unfolded when he and others spotted smoke coming from the side of the aircraft through their windows. This visual confirmation of a problem, combined with the pervasive smell, created a wave of panic throughout the cabin. A United spokesperson confirmed the sequence of events, stating that the odour had spread throughout the aircraft, leaving the pilot with no alternative but to head back to the terminal.
The spokesperson detailed that the flight taxied to the gate where emergency personnel met the aircraft, ensuring a safe disembarkation for all on board. Flight data indicates the aircraft had already experienced a delay of over 90 minutes before it eventually took off from San Francisco around 1:15 pm. It managed to fly for approximately just one hour before executing its U-turn over the Pacific.
Aftermath and Passenger Rebooking
Vincent Goh recounted that the pilot addressed the passengers, explaining the return was due to the smell of smoke and that fire crews were on standby awaiting their arrival on the runway. United Airlines acted swiftly to minimise the disruption for its customers, arranging for all passengers to be transported to Hong Kong on a separate aircraft later on Tuesday evening.
This alarming incident occurred against a backdrop of recent turbulence in US airspace management. America's airspace had only just re-opened following the longest government shutdown in US history, a period which saw many air traffic controllers laid off or working without pay for weeks. The Federal Aviation Administration had lifted all restrictions on commercial flights on November 16, which had been imposed at 40 major airports across the nation due to staffing shortages.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had praised President Trump as the restrictions were lifted, stating, 'Thanks to President Trump's leadership, controllers have returned to their posts and normal operations can resume.' He also thanked the FAA's safety team for their work during the challenging period. The restrictions, which had been in place since November 7 and impacted hubs like New York and Chicago, were rescinded after a 'steady decline in staffing concerns.'
