11 passengers injured after LA-bound Cathay Pacific jet ‘aborted takeoff’ at Hong Kong airport
A Cathay Pacific airliner with more than 300 people on board aborted its takeoff at Hong Kong International Airport early Saturday morning, injuring 11 passengers in the process, airports officials said.
Flight CX880, which was bound for Los Angeles, was forced to return to the gate after a “signal anomaly” was reported.
Emergency personnel arrived at the scene “immediately” as the plane was taken back to the gate and emergency evacuation was initiated. Those on board — 293 passengers and 17 crew members — had to exit the plane through five emergency slides.
Cathay Pacific confirmed the incident led to several injuries. More than 10 ambulances were called to the scene.
“We understand that 11 passengers are being treated at the hospital with injuries sustained during the evacuation process,” the company said in a statement. “Our priority is to look after all affected passengers and crew.
Later on Saturday, the airline said nine of the injured passengers had already been released from the hospital.
The aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER, was racing down the runway when its emergency brakes were applied, the South China Morning Post reported.
“Due to the hard braking of the aircraft, 12 wheels were damaged, and the cockpit CCTV showed some flames on the wheels,” a source familiar with the investigation told the newspaper.
Public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong said a tire was thought to have burst due to overheating.
The airline apologized for the incident and said it would cooperate in the investigation.
With News Wire Services
