Hong Kong-bound China Airlines plane makes U-turn, returns to Taipei airport after issuing emergency signal
- Taiwanese media report flight CI919 left Taipei Taoyuan International Airport on Saturday evening before issuing ‘7700’ code for emergency situation
- Flight data shows aircraft made U-turn after a sharp drop in altitude during journey
A Hong Kong-bound China Airlines plane was forced to make a U-turn and head back to an airport in Taipei after reportedly declaring an emergency on Saturday night.
Flight CI919 left Taipei Taoyuan International Airport on Saturday evening before issuing a “7700” code for an emergency situation and returning safely, Taiwanese media reported.
Flight data showed the aircraft started its journey at 6.06pm and landed back at the airport at 7.35pm.
The data indicated the plane made a U-turn during the flight. About 50 minutes into the journey the aircraft maintained an altitude of 36,000 feet for six minutes, then sharply dropped to 9,975 feet over a nine-minute window.
According to a flight-tracking website, the aircraft involved in the incident was an Airbus A330. China Airlines’ fleet includes 18 planes of that make.
Hong Kong International Airport listed the flight as delayed on its website as of 9.20pm.
The Post has contacted China Airlines for comment.
The cause of the emergency landing was not immediately clear.
An aircraft engineer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said a 7700 code could be issued for a number of reasons, including technical problems or a medical emergency.
The expert suggested the abrupt drop in altitude could be linked to a possible fault in the aircraft’s pressurisation system, which would prompt the pilot to rapidly descend to keep the cabin’s air pressure at a suitable level.
“It implies that either there was a problem in the aircraft’s pressurisation system or there was an opening in the aircraft that let air out,” the engineer said.
“We will only know whether the plane had a technical problem with its pressurisation system or a structural issue after an inspection on the ground.”
Hong Kong’s Immigration Department said it had not received any requests for assistance from residents so far.
The department spokesman added it would continue to maintain close contact with the relevant airlines and residents could call the 1868 hotline if needed.
