Cause Attributed To Traces Of Cleaning Fluids In Motor
The smoke that poured into an El Al
plane's cockpit Sunday -- forcing the evaluation of 126 passengers
and six crew headed to Zurich -- was attributed to traces of
cleaning fluids remaining in the aircraft's motor after routine
maintenance last week, reported the Jerusalem Post.
The Boeing 737 reportedly sustained considerable damage from the
smoke, however. An investigation is expected to be launched into
the incident.
Immediately following the incident, Ben Gurion Airport was
placed under high alert, which was subsequently cancelled,
according to the AP.
An El Al official told Army Radio that the airline was
retrieving the passengers' luggage, and that the travelers were
being treated to refreshments while they waited to board another
plane to their destination.
"This is highly unusual," the official said, adding that no El
Al flight had been forced to use the emergency slides in five
years.
Jerusalem Post
columnist/correspondent Michael Freund, who was on the flight,
reported what happened on board during the event.
"We were on the runway for takeoff around 6:45 am. The plane was
taxiing and picking up speed, when it suddenly began to slow down
before coming to a full, and somewhat abrupt, stop.
"There was an odor of smoke in the cabin, and passengers began
looking around somewhat anxiously, wondering what was happening.
The pilot got on the intercom and told us to get up from our seats
and to exit the plane as calmly and as quickly as possible.
"The inflatable emergency slides were opened, and we each had to
slide down out of the plane onto the tarmac."
"Fire trucks and ambulances arrived almost immediately, and all
the passengers were told to move away from the plane and to stand
on the grass along the side of the runway.
"There was no sense of panic, and people filed off the plane in
an orderly fashion - perhaps more orderly than on a typical El Al
flight.
"Even though many people were planning to make connecting
flights in Zurich in order to continue to other destinations,
everyone seemed to accept the situation about as gracefully as one
could expect.
"I was just grateful to God that the problem was discovered
before we had taken off, and that we were able to get off the plane
safely and unscathed. I'm sure that I won't be the only who will be
reciting the Hagomel (rescuer's) blessing in shul this week."