The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A LONDON-BOUND British Airways flight returned to New Providence 90 minutes after taking off on Friday, with passengers reporting fumes, a smell of burning and possible electrical problems.

Passengers said they were told little about what was happening and were instructed to leave the aircraft empty-handed, carrying nothing with them. One passenger reported concerns about “fumes” and a “smell of burning,” while another said it appeared there may have been an electrical problem and that passengers

The passenger said the in-flight entertainment system had been switched off, some seats were stuck in one position and cabin lights remained on while checks were carried out.

There was no confirmation, however, that the aircraft experienced an electrical fault, fire or any particular mechanical problem.

Reports of fumes aboard commercial aircraft can have several causes. The US Federal Aviation Administration says that, in rare instances, mechanical problems such as failures involving engine oil seals or recirculation fan bearings can cause fumes to enter an aircraft cabin. The agency also requires aircraft ventilation systems to supply clean air to passengers and crew.

The instruction described by passengers to leave the aircraft without their belongings is also consistent with aviation safety guidance for an emergency evacuation.

The FAA advises passengers to leave carry-on luggage behind if an evacuation is ordered, warning that stopping to retrieve belongings can delay people leaving an aircraft, block aisles, damage evacuation slides and increase the risk of injury.

It was not clear whether the passengers on the British Airways flight were formally ordered to evacuate or whether the instruction to leave their belongings behind was given for another reason.

Passengers also complained about catering problems, saying meal orders were taken, but food was not served.

Some said they waited about two hours for their luggage after the aircraft returned to New Providence.

The lack of information was also a source of frustration.

“It doesn’t take much to have clear and direct communications,” one passenger said, “and yet here we are again.”

The Tribune contacted British Airways seeking clarification on what caused the flight to return to New Providence, whether the aircraft experienced a technical fault and what assistance was provided to passengers.

No response had been received up to press time.

A Nassau Airport Development Company representative said the company had no information about problems involving a British Airways flight that day.