A flight from American Airlines traveling the Buenos Aires-Miami route had to urgently return to Ezeiza International Airport after smoke was detected in the cabin, prompting the crew to declare an in-flight emergency under the code "PAN PAN."
Flight AA908, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration N815AA, took off from Ezeiza at 11:09 a.m. (local time) on Saturday, although it was originally scheduled for 10:15 p.m. on Friday.
It was carrying 214 people, including 204 passengers and 10 crew members, as confirmed by Marcelo Belelli, ATE delegate in Ezeiza, to Infobae.
The incident occurred when the aircraft was already over Paraguayan territory, near the Argentine city of Formosa.
It was at that moment that the smell of smoke was detected, prompting the alert and immediate return.
“The smell of smoke was present, but it never jeopardized the flight; these are conclusions I reached by speaking with the crew and mechanics,” stated Belelli to the aforementioned media outlet.
Possible cause and technical response
Although the exact cause was not officially confirmed, it is speculated that it may have been a failure in the air circulation devices, which could have led to the burning of some internal component.
"The airplane landed without any issues, taxied to the boarding gate under its own power, and has been taken out of service to be inspected by our maintenance team," the airline reported in a statement cited by the newspaper La Nación.
Protocol activated and ground assistance
Following the declaration of the PAN PAN code, which indicates urgency without imminent danger, the corresponding protocols were activated at the airport.
The National Administration of Civil Aviation (ANAC) implemented the Airport Emergency Plan (PEA).
“At 13:40, the Boeing 787-8 landed at Ezeiza, being accompanied at all times by SEI and CONTER services, which acted promptly and in a coordinated manner,” the ANAC reported to Infobae.
According to Uno TV, the rescue, firefighting, and ground control services responded immediately. The evacuation was carried out smoothly through an airbridge, with no injuries reported and no need for medical assistance for the passengers.
"It was just a scare," they summarized from the airport.
Similar background in American Airlines
This is not the first recent incident for the American airline.
Last November, a flight from Ezeiza to New York returned in an emergency after suspicions arose that a person was locked in the cargo hold.
The flight was at the altitude of Córdoba when the decision was made to turn back. In the end, nothing unusual was found after the inspection.
Frequently asked questions about the American Airlines flight that returned to Buenos Aires in an emergency
Why did the American Airlines flight make an emergency return to Buenos Aires?
The American Airlines flight returned to Buenos Aires in an emergency due to the detection of smoke odor in the cabin. This led the crew to declare an aerial emergency under the "PAN PAN" code, indicating urgency without imminent danger.
What security measures were taken after the emergency on flight AA908?
After the declaration of the PAN PAN code, the corresponding protocols were activated at the airport. The National Civil Aviation Administration implemented the Airport Emergency Plan, and the rescue and firefighting services responded immediately. The evacuation was carried out smoothly, and no injuries were reported.
What could have caused the smell of smoke on the American Airlines flight?
Although the exact cause was not officially confirmed, it is speculated that it may have been a failure in the air circulation devices, which could have caused the burning of some internal component. The airplane was taken out of service to be inspected by the airline's maintenance team.
Has American Airlines had any similar recent incidents?
American Airlines has experienced several recent incidents, such as a flight that made an emergency return last November due to suspicions that someone was trapped in the cargo hold, and another flight that was diverted to Rome due to a bomb threat that was later deemed not credible.
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