Vietnam Airlines flight VN1266 had to make an emergency landing at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, on the afternoon of December 16.
The pilot of the flight, en-route from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh, sought permission for emergency landing after the cabin began de-pressurizing and oxygen masks deployed. However, instead of sending the ’general emergency’ code 7700, the pilot mistakenly sent code 7500 which means ‘unlawful interference’.
Emergency services were ready at the scene to handle hijacking situation when the Airbus A321-200 landed safely. None of the 140 people aboard was harmed.
The situation later got cleared and the airline released a statement confirming that the emergency landing was due to a technical issue and there was no hijacking incident.
The incident is under investigation.
American Airlines flight AA-2282 made an emergency landing in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on May 29th.
British Airways flight BA-2605 made an emergency landing at Gatwick Airport, England, on July 20th.
Delta Airlines flight DL-2668 made an emergency landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, on November 10th.
Air Berlin flight AB-7495 made an emergency landing in Kuwait, on April 20th.