According to the Hong Kong Orange News on August 18, a passenger plane originally scheduled to fly from Hong Kong to Seoul, South Korea, reportedly returned to the Hong Kong International Airport due to a faulty landing gear, while another passenger plane was scheduled to fly from Hong Kong to Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, is suspected to be due to cabin pressurization problem, also returned to Hong Kong. Both accidents required Airport Fire Contingent “Vigilance” and fortunately no one was injured.
Hong Kong International Airport on August 18, two passenger aircraft took off after the turn-back incident. Photo: Hong Kong East. Com
According to the report, the first incident involved TW644, an Airbus A330-300(registration no. HL8561) flying from Hong Kong International Airport to the Seoul Incheon International Airport. According to the information on the flight tracking website, the passenger plane took off from the Hong Kong Airport at 1:36 am on the 18th, and flew over the east of Hong Kong about 10 minutes later. However, it did not continue to climb and remained at an altitude of about 9,000 feet, it circled for about half an hour and is believed to have consumed fuel to reduce the weight of the fuselage in order to turn back safely.
It is reported that the aircraft suspected of landing gear failure, has been unable to take off, so must turn back. The Hong Kong airport fire department issued a“Local alert” at 2:34 am, while the passenger plane was led by Hong Kong air traffic controllers around 2:50 am on the 18th, safe Landing at Runway 07L, Hong Kong International Airport. Fire services stand down.
The second incident involved Hong Kong Express Flight UO676 from Hong Kong to Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. The flight was operated by an Airbus A321-200(registration number: B-leg) . At 2:42 am on the 18th, the airliner departed from Hong Kong International Airport. According to information on the flight tracking website, after taking off for more than 10 minutes, the passenger plane remained above 9,000 feet and circled over the east of Hong Kong for about 15 minutes. It then followed the instructions of the air traffic controller, arrived at Hong Kong Airport Runway 07L safely at 3:33 am. It is reported that the aircraft due to cabin pressure problems, so had to turn back, the airport fire at 3:13 am again issued a“Local alert” until the aircraft began to lift the alert to a safe landing.