The Cockpit Diaries

PENANG: A Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Boeing 737 from Singapore to Langkawi via Penang, with 88 passengers and seven crew members on board, made an emergency landing at the Bayan Lepas International Airport here on Thursday.

Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) Senior Manager in Penang, Abdul Wahab Mohd Yusoff said the flight from Singapore to Langkawi had encountered engine trouble during approach into Penang and forced to make an emergency landing at 12.30pm.

However, the plane landed safely and all passengers and crew on board were safe.

Abdul Wahab said the runway was closed for 20 minutes during which the plane was towed to the bay and reopened at 12.50pm.

“Flight MH674 departed Singapore at 11.05am and was expected to land in Penang before continuing its journey to Langkawi,” he said.

Meanwhile, a passenger on the flight, Eddie O’Hara from Sydney said before the plane made an emergency landing, he heard loud noises and saw fire and thick smoke from one of the engines.

“The captain made a circular movement and attempted to land on the runway but had to abandon the move and take off before making a second attempt successfully.

“I was seated by window on the right side of the plane and could see what was happening. I did not wake up my wife who was sleeping in the next seat.

There was panic and it happened so fast,” he said.

He also praised the pilot for being very professional throughout the ordeal and for his ability to land the plane safely without causing any injuries to the passengers or crew.

Meanwhile, MAS Senior General Manager, Flight Operations Captain Datuk Ahmad Zuraidi Dahalan in statement issued here this evening, however, said there was no fire on the MAS flight MH674 aircraft engine as reported earlier.

“When the engine was shut down, the remaining residual fuel will be burnt off at the exhaust section of the engine, which can be visibly seen. This is normal.

“These flashes will dissipate once all the residual fuel burns off. The plane is perfectly safe, capable and certified to fly in this condition,” he said.

Ahmad Zuraidi said during its approach into Penang, the captain noted that the right engine was surging with vibrations, and he “decided to go around to further assess the situation.”

Following Standard Operating Procedures, a precautionary shut down of the engine was carried out and he landed the plane safely at 12.26pm, he added.
Ahmad Zuraidi said upon landing, the captain opted to shut down the left engine and the aircraft was towed to Gate 10 and all passengers disembarked using the aerobridge.

“The plane landed safely. All 88 passengers and seven crew members are safe.

At no time was the safety of the flight in jeopardy as our captains and crew have been repeatedly trained to handle such situations,” he said.

He said the cause of the incident was being investigated. – BERNAMA

Source:http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20100325213142/Article/index_html