7-7-2024 (BEIJING) An Air China flight bound for Chengdu was abruptly cancelled after a passenger, mistaking an emergency exit for the lavatory, inadvertently deployed the aircraft’s emergency slide at Quzhou Airport in Zhejiang province. The incident, which unfolded on Thursday evening, has brought to light the importance of passenger education and aviation safety protocols.
According to reports, the incident occurred on board Air China’s CA2754 flight to Chengdu around 8:45 pm on July 4th. The passenger in question, later confirmed by police to be a first-time flyer, opened the emergency door under the mistaken assumption that it led to the restroom facilities.
This chain of events was seemingly precipitated by a series of unfortunate circumstances. One passenger, who spoke to reporters, recounted being struck on the head by someone’s luggage during the flight. In the midst of seeking assistance from the flight attendants, the rear cabin of the plane was momentarily left unattended, providing an opportunity for the unsuspecting passenger to open the emergency exit.
“I didn’t expect this to happen to me,” a passenger named Mr. Chen told the Chongqing Morning Post. “I was sitting in the front of the cabin on CA2754 flight from Quzhou to Chengdu last night. It was originally scheduled to take off at 8:45 pm, but the plane was delayed due to traffic control. Then at 9 pm, a passenger opened the emergency door thinking it was the toilet door.”
Another passenger, recounting the incident, stated, “A woman ran to the back cabin and opened the emergency door, causing everyone on the plane to be grounded.”
The deployment of the emergency slide, a critical safety feature designed for evacuation during emergencies, left the airline with no choice but to cancel the flight. Passengers were provided with compensation of 400 yuan (approximately S$74) and accommodated in a nearby hotel while awaiting a rescheduled flight.
A make-up flight was arranged by Air China, departing from Quzhou Airport at 11:40 am on Friday and arriving at Chengdu Tianfu Airport at 1:56 pm, allowing passengers to continue their journeys with minimal disruption.
While the incident may have caused inconvenience and delays, aviation experts commended the airline’s swift response and adherence to safety protocols. A senior aviation expert explained that the deployment of an emergency slide is not uncommon and often necessitates grounding the aircraft for maintenance, incurring substantial costs ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 yuan (S$18.500 to 37,139) depending on the aircraft model.
