EditorialAnswers needed over Cathay take-off chaos
- Aborting of flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles led to injuries, damage and panicking passengers breaking the rules as they fled
Investigators are still looking into the alarming aborted take-off at the weekend of a Cathay Pacific Airways flight from Hong Kong International Airport. It is vital that swift action be taken to find out what was behind the incident, which while rare, does nothing for the enviable safety reputation of one of the world’s top carriers. The aircraft had been hurtling down the runway at the start of a flight to Los Angeles on Saturday, when pilots slammed on the brakes, reportedly after finding a problem with a wind speed and direction indication device critical to ensure safe flights. Such equipment may pass preflight checks only to malfunction when planes are moving.
The hard-braking manoeuvre damaged about a dozen wheels of the aircraft, with some suffering friction burns. An emergency evacuation using inflatable escape chutes followed, leaving 11 of the more than 300 people on board injured. Two suffered fractures that required stays in hospital.
Worrying images showed fleeing passengers lingering at the bottom of the chutes and colliding with others. Some ignored safety instructions and took their luggage, including one man seen throwing a bag down a slide as he exited.
Such incidents show there may be need for better safety education. The city’s railway system has been urged to improve its communications after passengers on a stalled MTR train ignored staff and opened emergency doors to escape along the tracks.
Thankfully, tragedy was again avoided in the airport incident. Until more is known of what actually went on, we must not interpret the “standard protocol” removal of pilots and cabin crew from flying duties to indicate they acted in error. Among other factors, investigators should ascertain whether staff shortages resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic played a role. Air travel leaves no room for error.
In the meantime, passengers must also take notice. Hongkongers accustomed to relatively trouble-free travel may have become lax about their roles and responsibilities.
A hard-won reputation for safety is up in the air. Everything possible must be done to mount a thorough investigation and draw up a plan of decisive action taking all lessons on board.