American Airlines flight 2293 returned to San Francisco International Airport for making an emergency landing at about 2:15 p.m. on October 13.
The Boeing 757 was on its way from San Francisco to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport when the passengers noticed that the cabin wall was starting to tear apart. According to a passenger James Wilson, “It was the whole Row 14 on all sides, from the floor to the ceiling…It sounded like it was popping and banging so loud at first I thought stuff was coming out of the overhead compartments.”
American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said that the flight was turned back due to a possible blown air duct. “When they realised those panels came loose, the captain decided it was best to return to San Francisco and landed the plane there safely,” he said.
He also confirmed that all 184 passengers and 6 crew members remained unhurt.
The incident is under investigation.
Bhutan Airlines flight B3-700 was evacuated at Kolkata Airport in West Bengal, India, on September 9th.
Air New Zealand flight NZ-410 made an emergency landing in Auckland, New Zealand, on July 14th.
An Air Canada flight had to divert and make an emergency landing in Calgary, Canada, on April 4th.