Emergency Landing of TAP Air Portugal Flight Due to Onboard Fire

Original: Plane makes emergency landing minutes after UK take-off as fire breaks out on board

Dailystar Co Uk•Apr 5, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

A TAP Air Portugal flight from London Gatwick Airport to Porto had to return shortly after takeoff due to a fire caused by an e-cigarette in the overhead luggage compartment. The incident, which occurred on February 8, was resolved without injuries, and the flight later continued to Porto with a delay.

Key Points

01TAP Air Portugal flight TP1329 faced an onboard fire shortly after takeoff.
02The fire was caused by an e-cigarette in a passenger's luggage.
03Emergency services were prepared, and the aircraft returned safely to London Gatwick Airport.
04The incident occurred on February 8, but findings were disclosed recently.
05The flight eventually departed for Porto nearly three hours late.

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Full Summary

On February 8, a TAP Air Portugal flight TP1329, which had just taken off from London Gatwick Airport en route to Porto, was forced to make an emergency landing due to a fire caused by an electronic cigarette. The crew issued a Squawk 7700 distress signal after smoke was detected coming from an overhead luggage compartment. Emergency services were on standby, and the aircraft returned to London approximately 14 minutes into the flight. Upon landing, the cabin crew used a portable fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew onboard. An investigation by the Lisbon-based Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Accidents in Civil Aviation and Rail confirmed that the fire originated from an e-cigarette in a piece of hand luggage. Fortunately, the plane was cleared to continue its journey to Porto, arriving nearly three hours late.

Key Figures

14 minutes

Time after takeoff before the emergency landing

3 hours

Delay in the flight's arrival in Porto

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Why It Matters

The incident highlights the importance of safety regulations regarding electronic devices on flights, particularly e-cigarettes, which can pose fire hazards.

Who is affected

Airline passengers and crew members

What to know

Passengers should ensure that electronic devices are stored safely and comply with airline regulations.

FAQ

The fire was caused by an electronic cigarette device inside a passenger's hand luggage.

No injuries were reported; the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew were confirmed.

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