Honolulu air traffic controllers alerted Hawaiian Airlines to a possible fuel leak on a widebody aircraft shortly after takeoff. The A330 flight bound for Seattle, which we wrote about yesterday, returned to Honolulu after controllers observed what appeared to be fuel streaming from one of its engines. The crew worked to assess the situation, ultimately declaring an emergency and preparing for a precautionary return landing. A potent discussion between the flight crew and airport fire personnel over deplaning procedures added another layer to the event, as heard in the YouTube video below.”
Passengers react as an emergency unfolds.
The flight, identified as Hawaiian Airlines 22, had just departed Honolulu when ATC observed what appeared to be a fuel leak trailing from the aircraft. Controllers alerted the pilots despite no immediate cockpit warnings, who began emergency protocols to assess the situation.
Passengers onboard first noticed something unusual when the aircraft leveled off unexpectedly instead of continuing its climb toward Seattle. Some reported seeing fluid streaming from the wing and informed flight attendants, adding to the situation’s urgency.
With a precautionary landing now necessary, flight attendants secured the cabin while the crew prepared for a safe return. The aircraft landed without incident at Honolulu International Airport, where emergency vehicles were staged for arrival.
Debate over deplaning.
As the aircraft came to a stop, a discussion arose over whether passengers should remain onboard or deplane immediately. The aircraft commander advocated for deplaning, citing the unknown risk of the fuel leak and the aircraft’s reliance on emergency battery power after the engines were shut down…