[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL – An Asiana Airlines flight bound for Incheon from Istanbul was forced to return to its departure airport after a portable battery went missing on board, raising fears of a potential fire.



According to airline industry officials on July 30, Flight OZ552 (B777) departed Istanbul Airport at 5:42 p.m. local time on July 29 carrying 277 passengers. About 2 hours and 30 minutes into the flight, the aircraft turned back and landed at 8:15 p.m.



Asiana said the decision was made after a passenger dropped a smartphone power bank and could not locate it. The crew determined that if the device had slipped into a seat crevice, pressure could have triggered overheating or fire, prompting the precautionary return.



The stranded passengers are now expected to depart Istanbul Airport at 1 p.m. local time on July 30 (7 p.m. KST) — about 19 hours and 30 minutes later than scheduled.

 

 

 

[ⓒ 알파경제. 무단전재-재배포 금지]