An American Airlines flight en route from Buenos Aires to Miami had to make an emergency return to Ezeiza International Airport after the crew detected a smoke odor in the cabin, prompting the declaration of an air emergency under the code "PAN PAN." The flight, AA908, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration N815AA, departed Ezeiza at 11:09 a.m. local time on Saturday, although it was initially scheduled for 10:15 p.m. on Friday. The aircraft was carrying 214 individuals, including 204 passengers and 10 crew members, as confirmed by Marcelo Belelli, a delegate from ATE at Ezeiza, to Infobae.
The incident happened when the aircraft was over Paraguayan territory, near the Argentinian city of Formosa. It was at this point that the smoke odor was noticed, leading to the alert and subsequent immediate return. "There was a smell of smoke, but it never put the flight at risk; these are conclusions drawn from conversations with crew and mechanics," Belelli stated to the press.
Potential Cause and Technical Response
While the exact cause has not been officially confirmed, there is speculation it might have been due to a malfunction in the air circulation devices, possibly causing an internal component to burn. "The plane landed without issues, taxied to the gate on its own, and has been taken out of service for inspection by our maintenance team," the airline said in a statement quoted by the newspaper La Nación.
Emergency Protocols and Ground Assistance
Following the declaration of the PAN PAN code, indicating urgency without imminent danger, the appropriate protocols were activated at the airport. The National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) initiated the Airport Emergency Plan (PEA). "At 1:40 p.m., the Boeing 787-8 landed in Ezeiza, escorted at all times by SEI and CONTER services, who acted promptly and in coordination," ANAC informed Infobae. According to Uno TV, rescue, firefighting, and ground control services responded immediately. The evacuation was carried out smoothly via a jet bridge, with no injuries or medical assistance needed for the passengers. "It was just a scare," summarized airport officials.
Recent Similar Incident with American Airlines
This is not the first recent incident for the American airline. Last November, a flight from Ezeiza to New York made an emergency return after suspicions arose that someone might be trapped in the cargo hold. The flight was near Córdoba when the decision to return was made. Ultimately, nothing unusual was found upon inspection.
FAQs on the American Airlines Emergency Landing
What triggered the emergency landing of the American Airlines flight?
The emergency landing was triggered by the detection of a smoke odor in the cabin, which led the crew to declare an air emergency under the code "PAN PAN."
Were there any injuries reported during the American Airlines emergency landing?
No injuries were reported during the emergency landing, and there was no need for medical assistance for the passengers.
Has American Airlines experienced similar incidents recently?
Yes, last November, an American Airlines flight returning to Ezeiza from New York made an emergency landing after suspicions of a person trapped in the cargo hold, which was later found to be false.