Yesterday, hundreds of Hawaiian Airlines passengers were without doubt very relieved to return safely to LAX, instead of getting to Hawaii as they had planned. That, following a report of fumes in the cabin, apparently emanating from the rear galley. There were reports of people feeling ill as a result.
The flight departed Los Angeles at 10:20 am and landed again in Los Angeles at 2:34 pm. They had been in the air about two hours when the incident occurred. The decision was made to return to Los Angeles rather than continue on to Honolulu. The plane was met by medical personnel.
“We have determined that the non-toxic odor resulted from an engine wash prior to departure. We sincerely apologize to our guests for the inconvenience.” — Hawaiian Air spokesperson.
Passengers were subsequently transported to Honolulu on other flights. The delay was something passengers are unlikely to forget.
Beat of Hawaii: A flight turnaround for mechanical, medical or otherwise can always happen until you reach that mid-way point over the Pacific (typically about 2 1/2 hours). It’s something we always watch for and sometimes worry about. We’ve personally had close calls on turn-arounds but never actually experienced. Have you?
Kudos to Hawaiian Airlines.
The company has a great safety record and Hawaiian has never had a fatal accident or the loss of an aircraft since they began flying in 1929. Both Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are rated among the safest airlines in the world.
Image courtesy of Flightaware.
That same day we departed LIH for PHX on an AA 757. Well, we eventually departed. As I stepped through the cabin door to board, the APU shut down and everything went dark. A typical maintenance delay ensued, with multiple typical lines of “just a few minutes of paperwork and we’ll be on our way.”
An hour and a half later we departed, with the captain’s assurance that all was well now.
A little over an hour into the flight, the captain informed us we would be turning around and diverting to HNL, about 45 minutes behind us. He neglected to tell us that upon reaching Oahu, we would be entering a holding pattern to burn off fuel for another hour and a half. We landed at HNL around 2:45 AM, and I’ll spare you the rest of the saga. Fortunately we arrived home on the mainland today
the pilots were busy taking care of flying the plane safely. Thank God for them and the crew.
Aloha
A few years back, my family and I were on a United LAX-OGG flight. After a half hour after takeoff, I noticed we were heading north, I told my wife something was up. Within a minute, the pilot told us one of the oxygen lines wasn’t working properly so he dumped fuel and headed back. While waiting for repairs, we were told the parts needed to be flown in from SFO. After a six hour delay, we were back heading to Maui. It was a Sunday, so by the time I got the rental car and headed to Costco, had just enough time to pick up drinks. The best part was we got enough compensation to get free flights to Maui.
Mahalo
hi-i was on that flight too. ira is right. They also did not inform us until we asked what the loud continual noise was! Kind-of in shock and we were 49% over the ocean. If we were 51% we would have gone to SD. Not much communication from crew or pilot the whole time!
Happened to me last year on a new A321Neo. Maui to San Diego….1.5 hours out…Pilot told passengers he lost use of right engine, lowered airspeed and altitude and turned around headed to Honolulu. Landed safely but met by firemen and police. Hawaiian did a very poor job of handling the event. Should of had another plane ready to transfer passengers and luggage since they had a 2 hour notice we were coming in but made everyone claim baggage and go up stairs to rebook flights that would not even go to San Diego same day. I was flying on a first class ticket and had to fly coach on a United redeye 6 hours later to LAX. then wait for SD flight. Not ever flying Hawaiian again. Heard this happens alot with Hawaiian flights….
You assume there was another plane just sitting there unused, waiting to jump into service.
Sorry, but there are not always “spare” aircraft just sitting at airports. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to re-accommodate passengers when something like this happens.
hubby a former airforce jet mechanic…. his response: an Engine Wash?????? Never heard of such a thing.
We do them all the time in maintenance
I guess Air Force just changes engines out instead of washing them. We did it all the time in the Navy and it is to clean out all the carbon build up to get better engine response.
Which is why Google exists https://www.mro-network.com/maintenance-repair-overhaul/hawaiian-teams-lufthansa-technik-engine-wash
Kudos to the entire crew for a situation that was undoubtedly super scary for everyone on board. The good Lord was surely watching over them. Glad it was nothing mechanical. Love Hawaiian Airlines!🌺❤️
Pilots were busy doing the best they under the circumstances, they have time and hold hands with the passengers get it.