Liow commends AirAsia X pilot and crew over Perth flight

PETALING JAYA: The pilot and cabin crew of AirAsia X flight D7237 have been commended for handling the emergency situation with professionalism and courage.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said he viewed the incident seriously and has directed the Department of Civil Aviation director-general and relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the incident and make public their findings.

He said the pilot handled the situation with professionalism, and acted swiftly and proficiently to protect the safety of the passengers.

“I would also like to praise the cabin crew and ground crew for their unwavering commitment to maintaining a high level of professionalism in handling the passengers, and ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

“I am confident that AirAsia and its affiliates will continue to place utmost importance on the safety of passengers and crew given that the airline has had an excellent safety record in the past.

“I believe that the airline will ensure that safety will remain one of its pillars of strength and growth,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The flight bound for Kuala Lumpur from Perth on Sunday was forced to turn back after the Airbus A330, with 359 passengers on board, encountered technical difficulties.

According to reports, the aircraft was shaking like a “washing machine” during the two-hour flight back to Perth.

Passengers earlier heard a small explosion on the left wing.

The aircraft landed safely at 10am on Sunday and all passengers were transferred to the next available flight or to the recovery flight at 11.40pm on the same day.

In a statement issued on Monday, AirAsia X said it was conducting an investigation into the cause of the incident together with the engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce.