A KLM Boeing 777-200 made an unplanned landing at Ankara airport (Turkey) at the end of the afternoon last Monday.
The aircraft, registration PH-BQB, took off at 3:45 PM as KL895 from the Polderbaan (18R/36L) on its way to Shanghai, China. The 777 left European airspace via Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. However, over the Black Sea the pilots received according to AV Herald an indication of a cargo fire. The PH-BQB is a passenger plane, but has in it belly In addition to suitcases, there is also room for cargo. The pilots took the indication very seriously and deviated from the route over the Black Sea.
Deviating from the route
The 777 flew over mainland Turkey in the direction of Ankara. Three hours and fifteen minutes later the aircraft lined up for runway 03R. It landed safely there approximately 25 minutes after the possible cargo fire was reported. The machine was met by emergency services. They allegedly inspected the device after which no evidence of fire, heat or smoke was observed. It is (yet) unclear why the KLM pilots received an indication of a cargo fire.
Back to Schiphol
Despite this, the machine was grounded at Ankara airport for a long time. It is not clear how the passengers were received. The 777 departed back to Schiphol six hours after the unplanned landing. It arrived there at 2:00 am on the recently renovated Kaagbaan runway (06/24). According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft is expected to make its return on Friday with a flight to Mexico City.
