Air India B773 near Bucharest on May 12th 2012, Mangos cause cargo smoke indication

Last Update: May 13, 2012 / 14:38:33 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article
Incident Facts

Date of incident
May 12, 2012

Airline
Air India

Flight number
AI-121D

Departure
Delhi, India

Destination
Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Aircraft Registration
VT-ALP

Aircraft Type
Boeing 777-300

ICAO Type Designator
B773

An Air India Boeing 777-300, registration VT-ALP performing flight AI-121D from Delhi (India) to Frankfurt/Main (Germany) with 303 passengers and 17 crew, was enroute at FL360 about 70nm northeast of Bucharest (Romania) when the crew received a cargo smoke indication and decided to divert to Bucharest's Otopeni Airport. On approach to Otopeni Airport the crew reported the fire warning had extinguished and advised they were ready for evacuation but would only evacuate if there is smoke or fire visible, otherwise would deplane using stairs. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on runway 26L about 22 minutes after leaving FL360 and vacated the runway via taxiway G and stopped on the taxiway. Responding emergency services found no trace of fire, heat or smoke. The passengers disembarked normally via stairs and were taken to hotels.

The airline initially suspected a faulty smoke detector produced a false alert, an examination later revealed a load of Mangos in the cargo bay. The reasons for the fumes setting off the smoke detector probably were chemicals used to ripen the fruits, the airline explained.

The aircraft departed Bucharest 28 hours after landing and reached Frankfurt with a delay of 29 hours.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
May 12, 2012

Airline
Air India

Flight number
AI-121D

Departure
Delhi, India

Destination
Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Aircraft Registration
VT-ALP

Aircraft Type
Boeing 777-300

ICAO Type Designator
B773

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source

You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.

Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!

Subscribe now
Are you a subscriber? Login
Subscribe

Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.

Compare our plans

Send tip

Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.

Send tip

Related articles

Newest articles

Subscribe today

Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.

Pick your plan and subscribe

Partner

Blockaviation logo

A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.

ELITE Logo

ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.

Blue Altitude Logo

Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.

AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320
Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American Airlines
United
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways