On Wednesday evening, emergency services in Cape Town were activated when a British Airways Airbus A350 heading to London had to return to Cape Town International Airport because of a technical problem mid-flight.
The aircraft, BA58, had been in the air for nearly two hours when the flight crew smoke was reported in the cockpit.
As a preventive step, the pilots opted to head back. Both the emergency responders at the airport and throughout the city were kept ready to aid during the plane’s return.
JP Smith, who serves as the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security in the City of Cape Town, shared an update via social media. In his explanation, he mentioned that the city’s Fire & Rescue Services were summoned to assist with "Phase 2 Emergency Response".
Four major fire appliances were positioned and ready as the aircraft approached the airport.
Upon touchdown, the plane was halted, and the pilots stopped the engines. turn off the engines and the fuel system. Emergency personnel accompanied the plane to a designated parking area, where passengers disembarked without incident.
Smith noted that Fire & Rescue Services remained on site until the situation was officially concluded. The response has been acknowledged as being well-coordinated and in line with standard emergency procedures.
The airport authorities along with municipal officials are currently examining the incident. Investigations are ongoing to identify the origin of the smoke, prioritizing adherence to safety protocols for travelers, staff, and rescue personnel.
The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) verified that an incident took place involving a British Airways plane at the Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday and released this statement:
Although the specifics of the event come under the jurisdiction of the airline, we can verify that every predefined airport emergency protocol was promptly initiated. Our emergency response units, aided by all pertinent parties, were rapidly dispatched following recognized safety guidelines to handle the scenario efficiently and guarantee the well-being of everyone involved.
We remain actively engaged with the airline and pertinent authorities as we proceed with the assessment of the situation.
Cape Argus