A Firefly flight bound for Penang had to turn back to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang after the air conditioning system overheated today, causing smoke to fill the cabin. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed that the aircraft, identified by the registration number 9M-FYG, encountered defects that required it to return, as reported in the New Straits Times today.
CAAM’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Captain Norazman Mahmud, stated that an initial report revealed the flight experienced a failure of the extraction fan shortly after takeoff.
“The pilot’s report (PIREP) indicated that the fan failure led to overheating of the aircraft’s air conditioning system, resulting in smoke accumulating in the cabin area,” he explained.
Norazman also noted that further defects may be present on the flight, which are currently being investigated.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and all passengers were safely evacuated to the terminal at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SAAS).
One of the passengers, Harrell Erik Wong, captured a video that vividly shows smoke enveloping the cabin. He shared his account of the incident, describing how the flight had to turn back just 15 minutes after takeoff due to the alarming situation.
The incident involving the Firefly flight to Penang serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent safety protocols in aviation. While the overheating air conditioning system created a tense situation, the prompt response of the crew ensured that all passengers were safely evacuated without any reported injuries.
Source: Malay Mail
