Hong Kong Airlines Flight to Okinawa Returns After Suspected Landing Gear Fault

A Hong Kong Airlines flight bound for Okinawa returned to Hong Kong airport on Sunday morning after its landing gear was suspected to have failed to fully retract following take-off.

Crew returned the aircraft for safety

Hong Kong Airlines said flight HX676 departed at 8.57am and that its crew decided to return to ensure flight safety, in line with standard procedures.

“[The flight] encountered a suspected incomplete landing gear retraction issue after take-off,” the airline said.

The aircraft landed safely at 10am, with no injuries reported on board, according to the airline.

The return followed the suspected landing gear problem after the aircraft had departed for Okinawa.

Alternative flight arranged for passengers

Hong Kong Airlines immediately arranged an alternative flight for the 160 affected passengers.

The airline said the arrangement delayed their trip by about 2½ hours.

The incident therefore disrupted the passengers’ journey, but the aircraft returned safely and the airline reported no injuries on board.

The airline’s account described the return as a safety decision taken by the crew under standard procedures.

Source: South China Morning Post