Pilot Urges Prayers as 'Technical Issue' Forces Turnaround
An AirAsia X A330 pilot told passengers over the intercom to "say a prayer" after the aircraft experienced a mechanical problem — including a loud bang, a burning smell and shaking — and was forced to return to its origin airport. The incident, which was first reported by The West Australian, occurred Sunday morning on flight D7 237 from Perth, Australia (PER) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
About 90 minutes after the plane's 7:00am departure, passengers heard a loud bang and the plane began to shudder. Sophie Nicolas, a passenger aboard the flight, said the pilot came on the intercom to inform the passengers and crew that the plane would have to return to Perth.
"He said, 'I hope you all say a prayer, I'll be saying a prayer too and let's hope we all get back home safely,'" Nicolas told The West Australian. "It was terrifying."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVv9kMug7Fq/
An Instagram video posted by user maesaya shows the aircraft's seats and cabin shaking intensely accompanied by a loud rattling, although the passengers and crew appear to be calm. Accompanying the video on Instagram is the text stating, "I thought I might die."
Other passengers reported that a smell came through the cabin soon after the bang and flight attendants asked those sitting on the left side of the plane if they saw any issues with the left engine. "You could tell by the cabin crew's reaction that it was really bad," said Nicolas.
Passengers were instructed to assume the "brace" position as the aircraft returned and landed in Perth at 10:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Sunday. Emergency services met the plane but no injuries were reported. Later, a spokesperson for Perth Airport stated that the pilot had "identified a technical issue with the engine" which necessitated the return.
Earlier this year, an AirAsia X plane en route from Taipei (TPE) to Kuala Lumpur experienced turbulence that was so intense that a flight attendant momentarily believed that a man had been killed. The low-cost carrier also had an embarrassing incident in 2015 when one of its A330s flew in the wrong direction, landing in Melbourne, Australia (MEL), instead of Kuala Lumpur after one of the pilots entered the wrong data into the navigation computer. The airline upgraded its flight management systems and improved training after that incident.
"Guests on board the flight will be transferred to the next available flight today," AirAsia X said in a statement after the plane landed on Sunday. "The safety of our guests are our utmost priority."
H/T: CNN
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.