An Air France transatlantic service bound for the United States was forced to turn back to Europe after declaring an inflight emergency.
Flight AF50, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER (registration F-GSQB), departed Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at 1:45 PM local time, heading for Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). However, approximately two hours into the flight, while cruising at 33,000 feet off the coast of Ireland, the flight crew made the decision to abort the Atlantic crossing and turn around.
Incident Breakdown
- Origin & Destination: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (Reg: F-GSQB)
- Departure Time: 1:45 PM
- Turnaround Point: ~33,000 feet off the Irish coast
- Emergency Status: Declared upon entering French airspace
- Estimated Arrival: 5:40 PM local time back at Paris CDG
Upon re-entering French airspace, the flight crew officially declared an emergency, giving the aircraft priority routing and ground handling as it approached the capital. The aircraft is scheduled to land back at Paris Charles de Gaulle at approximately 5:40 PM.
Air France has confirmed that the flight will be rescheduled for later in the day to allow for aircraft assistance, technical inspections, or a potential crew and aircraft swap. The specific nature of the technical issue prompting the emergency status has not yet been detailed by the carrier.
UDPATE
The aircraft landed on runway 27L, back in Paris.
UPDATE
It vacated the runway normally.
