AA Flight Diverted to CDB Over Possible Technical Fault

The Boeing 787 made an unscheduled landing on Wednesday at Cold Bay Airport (CDB), a small facility in the Aleutian archipelago. All passengers and crew were unharmed during the incident.

It has been reported that an engine problem caused a Chicago-bound plane from Shanghai to divert it course to a small Alaskan airport earlier this week. The incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, October 12, and forced American Airlines Flight 288 to make an emergency landing at Cold Bay Airport (CDB). According to the Alaska Dispatch News, the Boeing 787 was carrying 114 passengers at the time of its diversion.

All passengers and crew were reported to be safe and uninjured following the incident, but American spokesperson Ross Feinstein told the paper via e-mail that “an indicator light in the cockpit reported a possible mechanical issue.” He added that the craft would be thoroughly inspected in order to ascertain any underlying technical problems with the plane.

As the jetliner prepared to descend, preparations were already underway on the ground at CDB. The local medical clinic was opened as a precautionary measure and Candace Schaack, the mayor of Cold Bay, a small community in Alaska’s Aleutian archipelago, told the outlet that “the fire crew was standing by here to respond if needed.”

While local residents were prepared to billet travelers if needed, Alaska Airlines was able to fly passengers onward to Anchorage at approximately 8 p.m. that evening, where all were provided local hotel accommodation for the night.

Due to the lack of security screening facilities at CDB, Schaack also confirmed that during their unplanned stopover, passengers were confined to a secure zone within the runway.

Schaack was able to meet with the crew of the grounded flight and confirmed that, “It seemed like everyone was cozy and taken care of…People were making the most of the situation.”

From Anchorage, American confirmed that a replacement craft would be able fly travelers to Chicago on Thursday morning.

[Photo: Dallas News]