SAS flight 751 makes emergency landing at Dublin Airport – plane forced to turn back shortly after takeoff
It was a dramatic start to the morning on Thursday when a SAS flight, number 751, was forced to return to Dublin Airport just minutes after takeoff. The plane, which was heading to a European destination, experienced technical difficulties and the crew made the decision to turn back immediately for an emergency landing.
"There was a loud bang and the whole plane shook"
"We had just settled in and the plane was starting to climb. Then there was a really loud bang and the whole cabin shook for a few seconds. You knew straight away that something was seriously wrong," said one passenger who was on board.
The atmosphere on board was described as tense but calm. The cabin crew acted quickly and informed everyone that they would be returning to Dublin.
What happened – minute by minute
- 08:35: The plane takes off from runway 01L at Dublin Airport.
- 08:47: The pilots report technical problems and request an immediate return.
- 08:52: The plane lines up for its approach back to Dublin.
- 08:58: The emergency landing is carried out without further incident. All 167 passengers and crew are unharmed.
- 09:05: Emergency services and ambulances are on the scene, but no medical attention is required.
According to information released, it was a technical fault that led the pilots to shut down one engine as a purely precautionary measure. The aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, is designed to handle precisely these kinds of situations.
Dublin Airport back to normal operations
For a short period, one runway was closed to ensure the emergency landing could be carried out safely. This affected a small number of departures, but by 10 am, flight traffic at Dublin Airport had returned to normal. Airport authorities have confirmed that an investigation into the cause is now underway in cooperation with SAS and the aircraft manufacturer.
An eerie coincidence with flight number 751
For many aviation enthusiasts, the flight number 751 rings a bell. It was the same number on December 27, 1991, when an SAS MD-80 aircraft was forced to crash-land in a field in Gottröra, Sweden, after severe engine vibrations. All 129 people on board survived that crash – an event that went down in history as the "Gottröra miracle." That flight 751 should again find itself in difficulty feels somewhat fateful, but this time, the worst was avoided.
"Of course, it crosses your mind. But I'm just glad we're on solid ground and that everyone is alright," the passenger said.
A report has been filed by the Gardaí regarding an aviation incident, but at this stage, there are no suspicions of foul play. The investigation is focusing entirely on the technical circumstances.