'Technical glitches' force plane to turn back
An Air Namibia Embraer ERJ 135 en route to Ondangwa from Windhoek had to turn around on Sunday evening and land at Eros Airport, from where it had taken off.
The passengers had to sleep over in the capital.
Air Namibia spokesperson Paul Nakawa confirmed the incident, but maintained that the aircraft did not have to make an emergency landing.
A passenger on board the flight told Namibian Sun that there had been “funny noises and smells” coming from the plane.
“There were some technical glitches with a flight to Ondangwa on Sunday evening.
“The aircraft had to turn around whilst it was on its way to Ondangwa and returned to base at the Eros Airport,” Nakawa said.
According to him, the aircraft landed a few minutes past 20:00.
“At the time, the crew rest took effect, meaning the time of the crew to operate was up so we had to accommodate our passengers at the Safari Court Hotel for the night and they were flown the next morning to Ondangwa.
“This is a norm and it is what we do when such a need arises,” Nakawa said.
The passengers, Nakawa said, were duly informed of what had transpired. He also extended his apologies.
“Our passengers were kept informed and we once again thank them for their support and convey our apology for any inconvenience caused,” he said.
According to him the incident was not an accident and there was no need for alarm.
The director of aircraft accident investigations in the ministry of transport, Errikson Nengola, said no incident was reported to him by Air Namibia.
“No one called me about that incident… I cannot confirm it,” Nengola said.
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The passengers had to sleep over in the capital.
Air Namibia spokesperson Paul Nakawa confirmed the incident, but maintained that the aircraft did not have to make an emergency landing.
A passenger on board the flight told Namibian Sun that there had been “funny noises and smells” coming from the plane.
“There were some technical glitches with a flight to Ondangwa on Sunday evening.
“The aircraft had to turn around whilst it was on its way to Ondangwa and returned to base at the Eros Airport,” Nakawa said.
According to him, the aircraft landed a few minutes past 20:00.
“At the time, the crew rest took effect, meaning the time of the crew to operate was up so we had to accommodate our passengers at the Safari Court Hotel for the night and they were flown the next morning to Ondangwa.
“This is a norm and it is what we do when such a need arises,” Nakawa said.
The passengers, Nakawa said, were duly informed of what had transpired. He also extended his apologies.
“Our passengers were kept informed and we once again thank them for their support and convey our apology for any inconvenience caused,” he said.
According to him the incident was not an accident and there was no need for alarm.
The director of aircraft accident investigations in the ministry of transport, Errikson Nengola, said no incident was reported to him by Air Namibia.
“No one called me about that incident… I cannot confirm it,” Nengola said.
OGONE TLHAGE
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