Boeing plane full of passengers turns around after crack found in cockpit window

13 January 2024 , 14:42

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The plane had to turn around (file image) (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

A Boeing plane packed with passengers was forced to turn around after a crack was discovered in the cockpit window.

Fliers in Japan were on the domestic journey from the Sapporo-New Chitose Airport to the Toyama Airport but never made it to their destination. Instead, a crack was discovered on the outermost of the four layers of windows that surround the cockpit of the Boeing 737-800.

This forced the All Nippon Airways Flight 1182 to turn around and head back to where it had set off from. A spokesperson for the airline told Sky News: "The crack was not something that affected the flight's control or pressurisation." They added that no injuries were reported amongst the 59 passengers and six crew members.

This comes amid a string of recent incidents involving Boeing jets. Recently, a 737 MAX 9 jet operated by Alaska Airlines saw an entire cabin panel break off mid-flight on January 5. The shocking scenes were shared widely on social media and left passengers terrified. The 171 passengers and six crew members miraculously survived the incident which saw the door plug break off at 16,000ft.

This created a vacuum that twisted the metal of the seats nearby, and snatched mobile phones, headsets, and even the shirt off the teenager’s back. Alongside that, in South Korea, T’way Air flight 216 had to make an emergency landing at the Incheon International Airport around 9.30pm on Wednesday after its engine burst into flames.

Red Arrow pilot forced to send out emergency alert after bird smashes into jet

The flight map of the jet showing how it was forced to turn around (Flightradar24)

It is believed a bird flew into the starboard engine, getting stuck and catching fire, leading to terrifying scenes of the blazing jet soaring through the skies. One passenger captured footage of it from onboard, as other videos showed it flying through the night sky, one wing on fire.

Once more, thankfully, no one was injured but local media reported that those onboard could smell burning.

Kieren Williams