Cell causes plane to turn back
30/01/2008 12:56  - (SA)  

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Johannesburg - A flight to Bloemfontein returned to O R Tambo Airport twenty minutes after departing after a false alarm for smoke was set off, South African Express (SA Express) Airways said on Wednesday.

"This was a false alarm that could be attributed to a cellular phone that was not switched off after being placed in the baggage compartment," said SA Express spokesperson Dileseng Koetle.

SA Express is a regional and domestic carrier.

The aircraft left Johannesburg at 07:30 on Wednesday and as a safety precaution, returned to the airport after the alarm was activated.

All passengers were asked to disembark for a cabin and luggage inspection.

Koetle refuted earlier reports that smoke was seen in the cabin and that it was an emergency landing.

The crew elected to return to base as a safety precaution, she said.

"To avoid a recurrence of this scenario, we urge our passengers to comply and turn off their mobile phones when travelling," said Koetle.

No fault was found with the aircraft and the aircraft took off again at 08:38heading for Bloemfontein on Wednesday, she said.

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