Source : Perth Now news
An Emirates flight bound for Dubai has been forced to return to Adelaide Airport after a mechanical fault, with passengers claiming to see sparks flying from the plane.
Flight EK441 left Adelaide Airport about 10.35pm on Monday when it was forced to make a sharp diversion.
The flight was three hours in and edging towards South Australia’s northwestern border when it performed a U-turn, landing back at the airport at 2am.
“Emirates can confirm that flight EK441 has returned to Adelaide due a technical fault,” an Emirates spokesperson told NewsWire.
“The flight landed uneventfully and passengers and crew safely disembarked.”
Passengers told 7News they saw sparks flying from the plane’s engine as the captain decided to divert the plane back to the airport.
An Adelaide Airport spokesman said a mechanical fault caused the plane to turn around, with firetrucks called to the tarmac.
“A ‘local standby’ was activated which means the airport’s fire service was in attendance as a precaution,” he said.
“Passengers have either returned home or have been accommodated in hotels.
“We understand passengers have been rebooked on tonight’s Emirates flight.”
The Emirates spokesperson told NewsWire that flight EK441 is scheduled to fly out again about 10.35pm on Tuesday and would accommodate passengers with onward connections.
“Emirates apologises for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance and will not be compromised,” they said.
