SEATTLE – A Hawaiian Airlines flight bound for Honolulu was forced to make an emergency return to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport shortly after takeoff due to reports of fumes in the cockpit, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA initially noted that the crew had reported smoke on the flight deck but later revised that information to indicate fumes were detected instead.
Hawaiian Airlines Flight 21, an Airbus A330, took off around 1 p.m. Monday, carrying 273 passengers and 10 crew members en route to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Upon reporting the presence of fumes, the flight crew declared an emergency to prioritize handling.
The aircraft safely landed back at SEA, where fire and medical personnel were on standby to meet the plane at the gate. All passengers and crew members disembarked without incident.
Following the landing, investigators from the Port of Seattle Fire Department inspected the aircraft and reported no signs of smoke or unusual odors.
Flight 21 was rescheduled to depart Seattle on Tuesday morning using a new aircraft. The airline expressed its commitment to safety, apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the incident.
The FAA has opened an investigation into the matter.
