PETALING JAYA: The AirAsia flight from Tawau to Kuala Lumpur had to turn back nearly an hour after departure from Tawau Airport on Saturday (December 7).
It is understood that the plane, carrying 170 passengers, had to turn back due to engine problems.
Tawau Airport manager Rehan Shafiq Azizan said information was received from the Malaysian Public Aviation Authority Air Traffic Control (CAAM ATC) about the incident at 3.03pm.
"The AirAsia flight pilot for flight AK 5741 TWU-KUL requested to return to the airport (RTB) due to engine problems.
“As a result, the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Service (AFRS) has activated related agencies and vehicles to be prepared in their respective positions.
“The concerned airline has also been informed and aircraft parking bay 5 has been provided,” he said when contacted by Sinar Harian on Saturday.
According to Rehan, the plane landed safely at 4.34pm on the RYW 24 runway and was placed in the provided parking spot.
"All passengers are in good condition, no injuries were reported and this incident did not affect other airport operations" he said.
