A KLM Boeing 777-300 returned to Schiphol this Saturday afternoon due to smoke entering the cabin.
The aircraft, registration PH-BVO, was scheduled to operate the more than twelve-hour flight KL743 from Amsterdam to the Peruvian capital, Lima, after it had landed early in the morning from Accra, the capital of Ghana. It took off from the Kaagbaan (06/24) runway in a southwestern direction, then climbed to an altitude of 32,000 feet (approximately almost ten kilometers).
Smoke in the cabin
The 777 flew over the North Sea and the English capital, London, before preparing for the Atlantic crossing. The aircraft continued its route over the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. However, just as the aircraft was about to pass the islands, according to AirLive.net, smoke entered the cabin. How this happened is still unclear. However, the pilots did not take any risks and decided to return the 777 to Schiphol. A turnaround was made over the Azores.
Return to Schiphol
The aircraft then descended to 27,000 feet, about 1,500 meters lower than the initial altitude. Flying through western France, the 777 entered European airspace. Shortly after, the aircraft landed on the Polderbaan (18R/36L). About seven hours after takeoff, the plane landed safely, then taxied towards the F-gates. The flight was ultimately canceled, and the return flight, KL744, was also canceled. At the time of writing, the 777 is still grounded at Schiphol.