Emirates flight returns to Adelaide after engine shutdown mid-flight

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 13 Oct, 01:02 · Archive

An Emirates flight to Dubai was forced to return to Adelaide after pilots shut down an engine roughly two hours into the journey.

Flight EK441 departed Adelaide Airport at about 10.35pm on Monday bound for Dubai but was forced to turn back roughly two hours later after a technical fault was detected. The Airbus A350-900 was approaching the South Australia-Western Australia border when pilots carried out a precautionary shutdown of the aircraft's left engine. The aircraft landed safely at Adelaide shortly after 2am on Tuesday.

Emergency crews were on standby as the plane touched down. Some passengers reported seeing sparks from the engine as the captain diverted the aircraft. An Adelaide Airport spokesperson said a 'local standby' was activated, meaning the airport's fire service attended as a precaution. The plane landed uneventfully and passengers and crew safely disembarked.

Emirati authorities confirmed the flight had returned to Adelaide following a technical fault. An Emirates spokesperson said the airline apologised for the inconvenience but stressed that passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority and would not be compromised. Passengers were either sent home or provided with hotel accommodation while alternative travel arrangements were made.

Passengers were rebooked on another Emirates flight to Dubai scheduled to depart at 10.35pm on Tuesday, almost 24 hours after their original departure. Emirates said the rescheduled flight would accommodate passengers with onward connections.

How it is being reported

• Emirates flight bound for Dubai makes abrupt U-turn to Adelaide after mechanical faultThe plane was three hours into its flight when it made a dramatic diversion, with some passengers claiming to see sparks flying from the engine.The West Australian · 13 Oct, 00:30
• Emirates flight bound for Dubai makes abrupt U-turn to Adelaide after mechanical faultThe plane was three hours into its flight when it made a dramatic diversion, with some passengers claiming to see sparks flying from the engine.Perth Now · 13 Oct, 00:30
• Emirates flight EK441 forced to return to Adelaide Airport on Dubai-bound journeyPassengers on an Emirates flight bound for Dubai have endured a frightening mid-air disruption after pilots were forced to shut down an engine and turn back to Adelaide.The West Australian · 13 Oct, 00:24
• Emirates flight EK441 forced to return to Adelaide Airport on Dubai-bound journeyPassengers on an Emirates flight bound for Dubai have endured a frightening mid-air disruption after pilots were forced to shut down an engine and turn back to Adelaide.Perth Now · 13 Oct, 00:24

In this story: Emirates · Flight EK441 · Adelaide Airport · Dubai · Adelaide

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