There were nervy moments inside an AirAsia flight to
Malaysia when pilot urged passengers to pray as the plane had a
‘washing-machine’ like shake for more than an hour.
An AirAsia X flight to Malaysia from Perth, Australia, was
forced to turn back Sunday after the twin-aisle Airbus A330-300 aircraft began
shaking due to what the airline called a “technical issue.”
forced to turn back Sunday after the twin-aisle Airbus A330-300 aircraft began
shaking due to what the airline called a “technical issue.”
A spokesman for the Perth Airport said, “The pilot
identified a technical issue with the engine. The plane turned around and
safely landed back at Perth Airport.”
identified a technical issue with the engine. The plane turned around and
safely landed back at Perth Airport.”
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| Passengers onboard. Photo: CNN |
“We were asleep and heard a loud bang around the
1-hour-and-15-minute mark,” passenger Damien Stevens told CNN. “It
shook for the whole ride back, close on two hours.”
1-hour-and-15-minute mark,” passenger Damien Stevens told CNN. “It
shook for the whole ride back, close on two hours.”
While it’s not yet clear what caused the issue with the
jet’s Rolls-Royce engines, any imbalance inside a rapidly-spinning jet engine
can cause violent vibrations that are felt throughout the aircraft. Twin-engine
aircraft like the A330 are designed to fly and land safely with only one engine
operating.
jet’s Rolls-Royce engines, any imbalance inside a rapidly-spinning jet engine
can cause violent vibrations that are felt throughout the aircraft. Twin-engine
aircraft like the A330 are designed to fly and land safely with only one engine
operating.
“It was really shaky, very scary,” Stevens said.
Stevens and friend Mitch Jamieson were on their way to
Myanmar for a holiday.
Myanmar for a holiday.
Stevens said the pilot asked passengers to pray twice. And
passengers were told to hold “the brace position” for about two
minutes during the landing, he said, which was smooth.
passengers were told to hold “the brace position” for about two
minutes during the landing, he said, which was smooth.
He praised the pilot, who shook hands with everyone after
the flight was over. “The plane erupted with applause once we
landed.”
the flight was over. “The plane erupted with applause once we
landed.”
Some passengers posted videos on social media showing the
shaking inside the cabin.
shaking inside the cabin.
“I thought I might die,” wrote @maesaya on Instagram,
along with a video clip showing the plane’s seats rattling.
along with a video clip showing the plane’s seats rattling.
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