2 Hong Kong-based airlines report separate mid-air problems on Easter Sunday, one involving cracked cockpit windscreen
- Pilot of Greater Bay Airlines flight HB341 carrying 160 people leaving Osaka discovers cracks in windscreen but lands safely in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Airlines says flight HX780 experienced ‘technical issue’ shortly after take-off and was forced to return to Bangkok, with no injuries reported
Two Hong Kong-based airlines reported separate mid-air problems on Easter Sunday, including a Greater Bay Airlines flight from Japan whose pilot spotted cracks in the cockpit windscreen while returning to the city.
Greater Bay Airlines flight HB341 carrying 152 passengers and eight crew members departed Osaka Kansai International Airport and was scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong at 4.55pm.
The Airport Authority Hong Kong said it received a report at about 5.20pm that suspected cracks in the cockpit windscreen were found, and the crew requested authorities to conduct a “local standby”.
The term refers to a situation where an aircraft approaching an airport is known or suspected to have developed a defect, but the issue does not pose a significant difficulty in making a safe landing.
The plane landed safely at the north runway at about 5.45pm.
An airline spokesman told the Post the captain had discovered “cracks” on the outer layer of the cockpit windscreen as the flight was approaching Hong Kong at 5.22pm.
The captain continued piloting the plane according to flight safety guidelines and immediately notified the Airport Authority and the relevant departments through the company’s operations control centre to ensure appropriate safety precautions were in place.
The flight, originally scheduled to arrive at 5.25pm, landed safely at 5.47pm.
The airlines said no injuries or discomfort were reported by any passengers or crew members.
“Flight safety is the top priority,” the spokesman said. “A detailed investigation will be conducted into the incident.”
Earlier that day, a Hong Kong Airlines flight going from Bangkok to the Asian financial hub was forced to return to the Thai capital due to a “technical issue” arising shortly after take-off.
Flight HX780 was scheduled to depart Bangkok for Hong Kong at around 2am local time, with more than 200 passengers on board.
According to data from flight tracking websites, the Airbus A330-300 twin-jet aircraft circled airspace shortly after take-off at about 2.25am and eventually headed back to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Hong Kong Airlines said the flight experienced a “technical issue” shortly after take-off, without elaborating.
“To follow safety protocols, the flight immediately returned to Bangkok airport and landed safely at the airport with no one on board injured.”
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The airline said it had been arranging same-day flights back to Hong Kong for the passengers.
“At the same time, hotel accommodation was provided for waiting passengers to rest,” it added. “We thank the passengers for their understanding.”
Hong Kong Airlines said it had reported the incident to the relevant authorities in accordance with standard procedures and it apologised for the inconvenience caused.
According to the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the flight was expected to land at 10.30pm, more than 16 hours later than its original arrival time of 5.55am.
