Mike Burdett from CROMER, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Air France flight AF338, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner traveling from Paris to Seattle, encountered an emergency situation mid-flight. The aircraft declared a general emergency while cruising at 36,000 feet above the Montreal Flight Information Region. The exact nature of the emergency was initially unclear.
As the situation developed, the flight began descending below 10,000 feet near Iqaluit International Airport in Canada. The reason behind the emergency diversion remained undisclosed at this point. The descent continued, with the aircraft preparing for an approach to Iqaluit International Airport.
By 15:40 UTC, the flight had initiated its final approach to Iqaluit International Airport, having declared an emergency with transponder code 7700. The aircraft safely landed at Iqaluit Airport, marking the end of the emergency situation. It was later revealed that the aircraft, a 7.2-year-old Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered as F-HRBB, had diverted due to the presence of a smell of heat in the cabin.
Iqaluit Airport, located in Nunavut, Canada, serves as a significant air gateway to various destinations in the Baffin region, Greenland (during summers), Kuujjuaq, Northern Quebec, Rankin Inlet, Yellowknife, and others. The airport, a hub for Canadian North, First Air, and Air Nunavut airlines, handles scheduled passenger services and accommodates various aircraft types.
Following the incident, Air France released a statement confirming the diversion of flight AF338 to Iqaluit Airport due to the reported smell of heat in the cabin. The decision to divert adhered to manufacturer protocols and airline procedures, prioritizing passenger and crew safety. Upon landing in Iqaluit, passengers disembarked, and technical inspections of the aircraft commenced to determine its airworthiness for continuing the journey to Seattle.
Air France expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the situation and emphasized its commitment to passenger and crew safety above all else. Efforts were underway to arrange alternative travel arrangements for affected passengers, ensuring minimal disruption to their journeys.
Overall, the incident, while disruptive, highlighted the importance of adherence to safety protocols and swift decision-making in ensuring the well-being of passengers and crew aboard commercial flights.
