A Jin Air flight bound for Okinawa, Japan, from Gimhae International Airport in Busan was forced to return after reports of sparks seen on the aircraft’s exterior.
According to Gimhae International Airport on Tuesday, Jin Air Flight 371, which took off from Busan at 8:39 a.m., circled over Geoje before returning to the airport approximately an hour later.
The flight was initially scheduled for departure at 8:05 a.m. but was delayed by about 30 minutes due to additional maintenance. The aircraft landed back at Gimhae International Airport at 9:56 a.m.
Regarding the reason for the return, airport authorities explained, “A report was received stating that sparks were seen on the aircraft’s exterior and that unusual noises were heard from the engine. As a precaution, a decision was made to return to the airport.”
All 184 passengers and 7 crew onboard are safe and remain inside the cabin. Among the passengers were families traveling during the school break and journalists and baseball fans heading to cover or attend a professional baseball spring training camp.
An airport official stated, “The aircraft is currently parked in the airport’s apron area. The return flight appears unrelated to the initial maintenance delay.”
Factory workers who witnessed the incident near the airport reported, “We saw sparks coming from the plane and heard a sound like thunder.”
Jin Air has arranged a replacement flight, ensuring that passengers from the affected aircraft will depart for Okinawa again at approximately 11:25 a.m.