A flight from Hawaii to Las Vegas was forced to make a U-turn after a distress signal was emitted due to an in-flight emergency. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 5.
Southwest Airlines Aircraft Diversion
At 8:40 p.m. local time on July 5, Southwest Airlines flight WN139 took off from Kahului on the island of Maui, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet was bound for Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Nevada and was due to arrive roughly five-and-a-half hours later. However, approximately 90 minutes into the journey, the flight was diverted due to an onboard incident.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) demarcation point directive, which determines the direction an aircraft should divert towards in the event of an in-flight emergency, the aircraft was diverted back to Hawaii, landing in Honolulu just after midnight local time.
Squawk 7700!
It has been reported that while flying over the Pacific Ocean, the Southwest Airlines aircraft issued the “7700” distress signal, which is the standard international transponder code signalling an in-flight emergency. When a squawk 7700 signal is broadcast, authorities on the ground at the airport where the plane is to divert are required to clear a runway and prepare for landing. They must then arrange the necessary emergency services to meet the aircraft upon its arrival. After the signal was dispatched aboard flight WN139, the Southwest Airlines aircraft was diverted to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu.
Southwest Airlines declined to share details of the incident but confirmed that the diversion was made as a result of a passenger’s medical issue. The airline’s spokesperson confirmed that additional flights were being arranged from Honolulu to Las Vegas to help transport passengers affected by the diversion to their intended destinations. The spokesperson commented that, though this process was in motion, getting the crew and an aircraft prepared and positioned takes time.
Have you been impacted by a similar diversion? Let us know in the comments.
