AA 125 (DFW-HKG on 10/31) diverting back to DFW
 

Looks like AA125 just turned back to DFW. Anyone know what happened? The much-weakened Typhoon Yutu is turning north toward Taiwan so I'd be surprised it is a weather related diversion?

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...600Z/KDFW/VHHH

Not weather issue. The comment doesn’t make sense but seem like mechanical related. Now crew has to be swapped out.

3DFW/ETD1600 CRA-DELAY DUE TO CREW AVAILABILITY *1215
2DFW/IN1311 *1313

1HKG/ARNTP/RTRN TO DFW ETA1300RMKS AIR RETURN RIGHT PACK OUT FTWDP J HORNER

1hkg/arntp/rtrn to dfw eta1300rmks air return right pack out

EDIT: Hypothesis #2..."Most jetliners are equipped with "packs" which stands for Pressurization Air Conditioning Kits." (Wikipedia)

I'm assuming "right pack out" means one of those thingies broke. (Engineer here using proper terminology :D)

Appears it was lightning strikes based on someone that was on the flight.

The Packs are the air conditioning system. The B777 needs both packs to sufficiently maintain air temperature for the flight, especially one that long. It provides all air via the engines and is also used to cool the equipment on board. One of the packs malfunctioning is definitely a diversion worthy event.

At least three lightning strikes, apparently. Maybe lighting snuffed a ‘pack.

I was on the flight. We were told the starboard air compressor was out. This was after reaching cruising altitude and clearing the storms. The lightning strikes happened on the return back through the storms to DFW. (I rescheduled for tomorrow, since I was probably going to miss any reasonable connection in HKG)

According to FlightAware, 125 was diverted to Tulsa on 27 Oct. That's twice in a week?

A colleague of mine who stayed on the flight just texted me that they are returning the new plane to the gate due to an engine problem. Are the 777-300er's getting old already?

Ah! Thanks for the clarification. Air pack shutdown, lighting strikes on return to DFW.

The 31-OCT flight is now scheduled to leave at 8am on 01-NOV

Looks like now 10/31 DFW-HKG cancelled outright?

This has been discussed at length in its very own thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/sear...2mechanical%22

It really is odd how often the HKG flights struggle with MX. The LHR flights do not seem to have the same amount of issues, respectively.

My colleagues that tried to stay with that flight confirm that. Also, they say AA has no idea where their bags are.

Looks like the 11/2 DFW-HKG got diverted to LAX.