On Thursday, February 9, a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Johannesburg had to make an unexpected landing due to a fire in the galley.
The Boeing 777-200 aircraft, registered as PH-BQO, was in the air for approximately two hours when the cockpit crew noticed smoke entering the cabin. The crew declared an emergency and squawked 7700, and the passengers were moved to the front of the plane for their safety.
Update: KLM flight #KL591 from Amsterdam to Johannesburg is declaring an emergency and returning to Amsterdam: https://t.co/Fy8QtdqmJ7 #KLM #FlightEmergency #Squawk7700 https://t.co/sAT6At1rRI pic.twitter.com/oeUoE8nHtk
— RadarBox (@RadarBoxCom) February 9, 2023
The fire was quickly put out by the cabin crew, but the decision was made to return to Amsterdam rather than land immediately.
At around 2:40 p.m. local time, the flight landed back at Amsterdam Schiphol airport, where medical staff attended to the passengers and crew.
This 16-year-old aircraft had taken off from Amsterdam at 11.00 a.m. local time and had made the emergency landing at 14.35 on runway 18R. The emergency services were on hand to meet the aircraft upon landing.
Passengers on board KL591 can be grateful that the fire was quickly extinguished and that they were able to make a safe landing.
Featured image: @indian_spotter
