SolarExpress flight points mid-air emergency as airplane in U-turn to Manchester
SunExpress flight XQ593 was forced to turn around just minutes after take-off from Manchester Airport, with the plane returning amid a passenger medical emergency
The SunExpress flight declared an emergency minutes after takeoff (file)(Image: Getty)
A passenger flight was forced to return to its departure airport minutes after lifting off, as indicated by flight path maps.
A SunExpress flight en route from Manchester to Antalya, Turkey, made an emergency U-turn back to the UK airport on Monday (April 13) due to a medical incident onboard.
Flight XQ593 departed at 1.33pm but had to abruptly cease its climb at 18,000 feet when crew members informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) of a situation in the cabin.
The Boeing 737-800 subsequently broadcasted a Squawk 7700 code – the universal distress signal for a general emergency – reportedly because a passenger needed immediate medical assistance.
The aircraft briefly maintained a holding pattern – a pre-set course while awaiting ATC’s landing clearance – as it readied itself for an overweight landing. It was then given the green light for an immediate approach.
Upon landing, the plane was greeted by emergency services, and medical staff boarded the aircraft to attend to the affected passenger, reports the Express.
AirLive reported that a spokesperson confirmed the passenger was safely transferred for further medical treatment and standard safety procedures were carried out.
The aircraft was subsequently cleared for take-off and embarked on its journey to Antalya once again, this time successfully completing the trip.
Squawk 7700 is the global transponder code utilised by pilots to instantly notify ATC of a general emergency.
It signifies that the aircraft necessitates priority handling, special attention, or assistance, such as for an emergency landing, due to problems like engine failure, medical emergencies, or technical faults.
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