Russian airliner ‘took wrong turn over Beijing’
Aircraft took brief, impromptu flight over suburbs just after take-off from city's airport until put right by air traffic control, according to newspaper report
An airliner flying from Beijing to Moscow took a wrong turn after take-off and took a short, unplanned detour over the suburbs within the Chinese capital’s third ring road, according to a newspaper report.
A Russian Transaero Airlines aircraft was involved in the incident in the early hours of Thursday morning, according to the Beijing Youth Daily.
It was supposed to fly south after take-off before turning east and banking round to the north on its way to Moscow.
Instead Flight UN8888 flew south, then west and headed into Beijing’s suburbs, according to the report.
Residents in the area heard the sound of large engines, the newspaper said.
Air traffic controllers spotted the mistake and immediately told the plane’s pilot, who turned round and flew back to the scheduled route. The flight landed safely on time in Moscow.