A United Airlines flight traveling from London to San Francisco made an emergency diversion to Edinburgh on Thursday after the flight crew detected a burning smell inside the aircraft. The pilot quickly declared an in-flight emergency to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
Why the Flight Diverted Mid-Air
United Flight 949 departed London Heathrow at 2:05 p.m. with 162 passengers and 12 crew members. About 90 minutes into the journey, the aircraft was flying at 34,000 feet between Scotland and Iceland when the crew noticed a burning odor.
Emergency Code Sent by Crew
The crew sent out a 7700 squawk code — an international signal used when a plane requires immediate help. This alert tells air traffic controllers that the aircraft is facing an urgent situation.
Safe Landing in Edinburgh
The Boeing 777-200ER quickly turned back toward the United Kingdom and landed safely at Edinburgh Airport around 4:35 p.m. local time. Emergency crews were waiting on the ground but stood down after the plane touched down without any issues.
United Airlines Responds
United Airlines confirmed the incident, saying the safety of passengers and crew is always the top priority.
“United flight 949 safely landed in Edinburgh to address a burning smell,” the airline said in a statement to The Herald Scotland. The airline added that all passengers were provided hotel rooms and rebooked on other flights.
Possible Technical Issue Reported
Early aviation data shows that the crew also reported a problem with a brake temperature sensor. The aircraft involved in the incident is nearly 27 years old and had been scheduled to land at San Francisco International Airport later that night.
Conclusion
The quick response from the United Airlines crew ensured that Flight 949 landed safely after the detection of a burning smell. Passengers were taken care of with overnight accommodations and new travel arrangements. Investigations into the possible brake sensor issue are expected to continue.
