Marco Goncalves
23-03-11, 22:22
A Qantas Airbus A330-200, registration VH-EBL performing flight QF-20 from Manila (Philippines) to Sydney,NS (Australia) with 147 passengers and 11 crew, was enroute about 4 hours into the flight when the flight crew noticed flames and smoke from the left hand windshield heating. The flight crew used the fire extinguishers to put the fire out. The airplane subsequently diverted to Cairns,QL (Australia) for a safe landing on runway 15 about 6 hours after departure from Manila.
The remainder of the flight was cancelled, the passengers cleared customs in Cairns and were rebooked onto domestic flights.
Qantas confirmed a windscreen electrical fault occurred causing smoke and small flames (1-2cm/less than one inch) near the left windshield. The flames were extinguished by the crew. There was no need for emergency services after landing.
The remainder of the flight was cancelled, the passengers cleared customs in Cairns and were rebooked onto domestic flights.
Qantas confirmed a windscreen electrical fault occurred causing smoke and small flames (1-2cm/less than one inch) near the left windshield. The flames were extinguished by the crew. There was no need for emergency services after landing.