Update 4: EasyJet plane in emergency landing after engine failure
Aircraft to be repaired in Malta, replacement plane to be sent
Updated - Adds EasyJet statement
An EasyJet plane has safely returned to Malta after suffering an engine failure just six minutes into a flight to London Gatwick.
The twin-engined Airbus A320 issued an emergency soon after take-off and turned back.
Malta International Airport deployed fire engines on the taxiway as a precaution.
The plane had 150 passengers on board.
It stopped on the runway while a fire team briefly inspected its left engine. It then taxied away and the runway was reopened. The passengers were disembarked.
It is understood that the plane is one of the newest to join EasyJet and was never serviced in Malta.
Informed sources said it will be repaired in Malta. EasyJet is to send a replacement aircraft which should be on its way to Gatwick at 6.30 p.m.
'A BIT OF A FRIGHT'
A passenger on board the flight, Hubert Paul Farrugia said the experience was ‘a bit of a fright’.
He said that minutes after take off passengers felt thuds like one usually feels when the landing gear is retracted. However the noise continued, and got louder.
Then an announcement was made by the captain that the aircraft had technical issues and was returning to Malta.
He said passengers and crew were calm during the experience.
EASYJET STATEMENT
EasyJet's Corporate Affairs Manager, Andrew McConnell, in a statement said: "We can confirm that flight EZY8824 flying from Malta to London Gatwick returned to Malta International Airport shortly after take off due to a technical issue.
"The Captain took the decision to return to Malta and shut down one engine as a precaution only. The safety of its passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.
"EasyJet is currently flying an aircraft to Malta to fly the passengers home and would like to apologise to the affected passengers for any inconvenience."
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 4 - Eddie Fenech Adami stable...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
No appeals board for first part of power...
28 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
M Filletti
Jan 22nd, 00:16
@ Mr Carmel Vella
The comment you posted saying ''Air Malta has the pride to say that it has the best technical staff on the island'' is incorrect, To be able to say that you would first have to assess all of the technical personnel involved in the Aviation industry in Malta, Then and only then an accurate and Impartial judgement may be made.
M Filletti
Jan 21st, 19:35
ATT all of the above: It is better to remain quiet and be thought a fool then opening your mouth and removing all doubt. leave it to the experts.
John Azzopoardi
Jan 21st, 18:42
well done to the captain for placing passenger and crew safety first.
James Dewar
Jan 21st, 20:11
A wholly natural and somewhat expected reaction I would say! The alternative?
Andreas Moser
Jan 21st, 20:36
What else should the Captain have done? He was on board of the same plane.
Pierre Micallef-Grimaud
Jan 21st, 17:14
Well done Air Malta engineers. We should all be proud that Maltese personnel are being entrusted with such technical problems.
Josef Borg
Jan 21st, 17:56
Who told you that such repairs are going to be carried out by AirMalta engineers?!! Easyjet are maintained in Malta by SR Technics altough it is clearly stated that this particular aircraft was never serviced in Malta.
Emanuele Grimaldi
Jan 21st, 18:46
@ Josef,..
When you see the signatures on the tech-log comment Josef!!
Michael Mallia
Jan 21st, 16:53
Mr Adrian Cardona SR Trehnics takes care of checks but Airmalta Engineering takes care of Easyjet technical Problems.Infact Airmalta Engineering is taking care of the problem Ok
James Dewar
Jan 21st, 17:20
Don't think too many people will be troubled by who carries out the remedial work as long as it is done properly!!
David Smith
Jan 21st, 15:50
Why are the passengers alighting on the same side as the problematic engine? Why is the fire engine so far away from the plane, seemingly stuck behind all those other vehicles?
James McIntosh
Jan 21st, 16:33
Do we need another"safety expert" Turbine engines are not bombs waiting to go off Mr Smith and once the fuel is shut off they are just a lump of metal, inert and quite safe, You are implying that safety was compromised but I can assure you that once shutdown was initiated there was no more danger to passengers than at any other time when an aircraft is on the ground. You need another axe to grind
Chris Camilleri
Jan 21st, 17:40
The fire engines you see can fire water up to a distance of 80.. so "far away" is not a problem..
Mark Vassallo
Jan 21st, 18:43
This aircraft, like most aircraft, only has passenger doors on the port side . . . because many early pilots, being ex-cavalry officers, 'mounted' their aircraft from the same side that they would have mounted a horse - from the left . . . because traditionally men, being mainly right handed, wore their sword on their left . . . thereby making it impossible to mount from the right. Q.E.D.
P Bonnici
Jan 21st, 20:47
Mark Vassallo
Thank you for the info, fascinating.
Ross Stephen Micallef
Jan 21st, 14:11
Most prob it hit a flock of birds
Joseph Micallef
Jan 21st, 15:03
yeah.. could be. A possible cause
B. Storace
Jan 21st, 16:05
IN Malta? what flocks of birds!!!!!
Johann Tonna
Jan 21st, 20:39
@ B. Storace, have you ever been next to the runway and see how many birds can gather up during certain seasons? Anyways, at six minutes into the flight it would be far off away from the runway, probably even beyond Gozo. Luckily it didn't happen on takeoff!
Anthony Portelli
Jan 21st, 13:21
glad all passengers and crew are alright.
Joseph John Camilleri
Jan 21st, 15:45
This aircraft can fly on one engine but it is safer to turn back for the safety of the passengers. Thank God that passengers and crew returned safely. Wish them Godspeed on the next flight in the replacement aircraft.
carmel vella
Jan 21st, 13:17
Just to inform you well my friend: the aircraft is being inspected by Airmalta engineers. Airmalta has the pride to say that it has the best technical staff on the island and one of the best safety record holders!
Adrian Cardona
Jan 21st, 14:56
Actually, EasyJet aircraft are serviced in Malta by SR Technic, not Airmalta.
joseph borg st john
Jan 21st, 17:10
Prosit Adrian Cardona kemm qrajt l artiklu sew. Ghax jekk qrajt sew dan lajruplan qatt ma ghamlulu service Malta. Get some to read it for you .
Chris Camilleri
Jan 21st, 17:41
@Joseph borg.. qatt ma qalu li gie serviced hawn malta.. qalu li SR just jiehdu hsieb ajruplani ta l-istess kumpanija...
carmel vella
Jan 21st, 18:48
Sabiex inkun preciz Sur Cardona u Sur Camilleri, SR Technics jaghmlu is-'C' checks ghall-ajruplani tal-'Easyjet'. Izda meta jkollhom bzonn 'maintenance' waqt 'turnaround' normali, huma l-inginiera u t-teknici tal-Airmalta li jispezjonaw l-ajruplani tal-'Easyjet' f'Malta.
Check your facts first.
Adrian Cardona
Jan 21st, 19:18
@ joseph borg st john
I would humbly suggest that you practice what you so rudely preach, and read what I wrote carefully. In case that's too difficult for you, let me synthesize. I said that EasyJet aircraft are serviced in Malta. Not THIS particular aircraft. I trust this is of (some) help to you.
Please choose the reason of your report below: