‘Highly concerned’: flight evacuation by Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific in government spotlight, as experts question ‘bizarre’ use of emergency slides
- Transport and Logistics Bureau raises concerns over incident involving flight CX880 which led to 11 passengers sustaining injuries as they exited aircraft
- Former leading safety investigator questions decision to deploy slides, as plane was already back at gate, suggests confusion in heat of moment may have led to call
In a reply to the Post on Monday, the Transport and Logistics Bureau said it was “highly concerned” about Saturday’s incident involving Cathay flight 880, which led to 11 passengers sustaining injuries as they exited the aircraft.
A spokeswoman for the bureau said the Air Accident Investigation Authority, which is under its supervision, had launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances and causes of the accident.
A preliminary report would be published within one month, she said.
The Civil Aviation Department would also follow up with the carrier, which was conducting its own investigation, she added.
A former chief accident safety investigator, who did not want to be identified, and several pilots told the Post they suspected the decision to deploy the slides was made because of miscommunication or confusion.
During the incident, 293 passengers and 17 crew members were evacuated using the emergency slides, some of which were located next to the aircraft’s landing gear, which a firefighter commander said recorded temperatures of 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit).