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Cathay Pacific Flight CX719, Boeing 777, bound for Jakarta, returned to the Hong Kong International Airport as a precautionary measure after the pilot reported smoke in the cockpit today (August 10), a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department said.
The B777 aircraft departed at 4.43pm today and landed safely at 4.54pm. Shortly after departure, the pilot requested to return immediately to the Hong Kong International Airport due to smoke observed in the cockpit. Airport Fire Contingent was put on full alert and air traffic controllers made arrangements for the aircraft to land via the shortest route. Other traffic was held off to give way to the emergency flight. There were 184 passengers on board with no casualty reported.
An investigation is being conducted into the incident by the airline. CAD will closely monitor the progress.
Ends/Thursday, August 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:40
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