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Another Helios jet had problems
16/08/2005 16:47 - (SA)
London - Firefighters were put on stand-by at a British airport after a Helios Airways flight reported mechanical problems the day before another crashed in Greece, killing 121, officials said on Tuesday.
The pilot of the scheduled service from Larnaca, Cyprus, reported problems with the Boeing 737's flaps to air traffic controllers before landing at Birmingham International Airport on Saturday, an airport spokesperson said.
Fire crews were put on a reduced level of alert - known as "local standby" - and followed the twin-engine jet as it touched down and taxied to the terminal building.
"The flight was due to come in here. It wasn't an emergency landing. It reported flap problems and was met at the airport and landed absolutely safely," she said.
"No problems were found and it took off later in the evening."
Putting the fire services on alert after such a call is part of the airport's statutory requirements, and a "local standby" could cover everything from bad weather to a bulb going out in the cockpit, she added.
"On this occasion, the pilot didn't feel it was necessary to call a full emergency. I can understand why some passengers may have been alarmed at what they saw," she said.
Flaps are hinged sections on the inside trailing edge of an aircraft's wings. Lowering them provides more lift as the plane slows down and prepares to land.
- AFP
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