A Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plane that was flying to Tawau, Sabah, on flight MH2664, was forced to turn back to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), amidst averse weather and “technical issues”, according to MAS.
Some of the passengers onboard the flight had apparently “floated” in their seats as the plane “dived” about 7,000 feet sharply, according to New Straits Times.
Malaysia’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAM) said that they would be reviewing the flight data monitoring system, and confirmed the Boeing 737-800’s turn back to KLIA.
Plane dived 7,000 feet in seconds
One of the passengers who was onboard the flight, Halimah Nasoha, shared online how the plane took off at about 2.30pm from KLIA, before taking a “sharp dive” about 30 minutes later.
She then checked the Flight Radar app and found that the flight had dropped from a cruising altitude of 31,000 feet to 24,000 feet in “seconds”.
She shared how her seat belt was not on at the time because of the seat belt signs being turned off, and she then “floated” from her seat.
Some of the other passengers on board were also crying and screaming in fear.
The flight ultimately made it back to KLIA after circling above Malacca a few times following the u-turn.
Demanding explanation from airline
A netizen posted the flight path and map that the plane was taking and demanded an explanation from the airline.
So what happened to MH2664 @MAS ? Kuala Lumpur to Tawau 3 April 2022 pic.twitter.com/gyE0VGxuZ4
— Obe1k (@Obe_1K) April 4, 2022
Another netizen on Twitter, Unaver Unabia, then asked MAS for an explanation on the debacle, saying:
“Luckily nothing happened. Today Malaysia Airlines flight MH2664 to Tawau makes everyone on board panic and probably traumatised. Luckily passengers on board made it back to KLIA. Hope @MAS could explained further on this incident, as safety of the passenger is very important.”
MAS then replied saying:
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused. Please be advised that the Malaysia Airlines flight MH2664 from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Tawau (TWU) on 03 April 2022 performed an air turn back due to technical issues with the aircraft, compounded by bad weather en route.
As a precautionary measure, the pilot made the decision to return to Kuala Lumpur in the interest of passenger safety. The aircraft landed safely in Kuala Lumpur at 05:03 PM.
The safety of our crew and passengers remains of utmost importance to Malaysia Airlines.”
Statement by Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia
CAAM CONFIRMS AIR TURN BACK BY MALAYSIA AIRLINES RIGHT FROM KUALA WM PUR ID TAWAU
PUTRAJAYA – The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirms that a Mandatory Occurrence Report was submitted by Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) in regards to flight M H2664 from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau, Sabah on Sunday, 3 April 2022 following a technical issue experienced on board.
The aircraft made an air turnback to Kuala Lumpur International Airport as per the required safety procedures and landed safely at 5.03PM.
The pilot in command and co-pilot managed the technical issue safely and returned to Kuala Lumpur for the required maintenance action.
CAAM has been in close contact with MAB to ensure all the technical safety matters are addressed in accordance with all safety procedures and regulations which includes pilot responses and airworthiness processes for the aircraft type.
As a follow up to this, CAAM will be reviewing MAB’s internal Flight Data Monitoring System that monitors and records all flight data profiles of the operating aircraft.
Preliminary data has shown correct responses by the operating crew following the issue onboard. CAAM will continue to monitor the situation and will not compromise on any issue that could potentially jeopardise the safety and security of airlines operations and the public.
DATUK CAPTAIN CHESTER VOO
Chief Executive Officer
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia