‘Loud bangs, then the plane started shaking': Shandong Airlines flight makes emergency landing after in-flight malfunction
A Shandong Airlines flight travelling from Qingdao to Shanghai in China was forced to make an emergency landing in Nanjing on Friday after an in-flight engine malfunction, prompting alarm among passengers who reported loud bangs, violent shaking, and a burning odour. The incident has been confirmed by both the airline and local aviation authorities.
According to a report by news agency PTI, in a social media post by Shandong Airlines it was informed that flight SC4667 was diverted after the crew handled an 'aircraft malfunction' in accordance with safety procedures, and landed safely at Nanjing Lukou International Airport. All passengers were safely disembarked, and arrangements were made to accommodate them and resume travel on a different aircraft.
'All affected passengers have been properly accommodated, and another aircraft has been dispatched to operate subsequent flights,' the airline said in the post.
A user claiming to be onboard the flight described the terrifying moment when the plane, a 13-year-old Boeing 737-85N, began shaking side to side mid-air. In a post quoted by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the passenger wrote: 'There were a few loud bangs, then the plane started shaking side to side by about 10 degrees, with a burnt smell that lasted for five to 10 minutes.'
'The captain then announced the emergency landing in Nanjing. The process was very smooth. Thumbs up to the Shandong Airlines pilots.'
The user also shared a photo showing fire trucks and police vehicles deployed at the airport following the safe landing. As compensation, the airline reportedly gave 400 yuan (US$56) to each passenger.
According to data from Chinese flight tracker VariFlight, SC4667 had departed Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport at 3:22 pm and was scheduled to arrive at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport by 4:50 pm. However, the flight was diverted and landed in Nanjing at 4:26 pm.
The emergency landing adds to a growing list of domestic flight incidents in China in recent months:
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) recently issued a warning, banning non-certified or recalled power banks on flights starting June 29.
'This year, there have been frequent incidents of power banks and other lithium battery products brought by passengers catching fire or emitting smoke on board,' the CAAC said, citing rising aviation safety threats.
While Friday's Shandong Airlines emergency landing was not linked to a lithium battery, the recent cluster of incidents has heightened scrutiny of in-flight safety protocols on Chinese carriers.
The aircraft involved remains grounded while further inspection and investigation are carried out by Shandong Airlines and aviation authorities.
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