The aircraft was carrying 252 passengers when it had to make an unscheduled stop
A United Airlines Boeing 787-9 operating flight UA99 from Melbourne to Los Angeles diverted to the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia on Monday after smoke had been observed coming from the cockpit.
The aircraft flying 252 passengers touched down safely at La Tontouta International Airport in New Caledonia’s capital Noumea.
The Nouvelles Calédoniennes website reported that oxygen masks automatically dropped down in the cabin. The local RRB radio station said no one was hurt and all the passengers would spend the night in Noumea, 2700 kilometres northeast of Melbourne.
Didn’t expect to end our trip in New Caledonia but want to commend the Captain and his crew of UA99 for a calm and professional emergency diversion @united – ?? pic.twitter.com/Fa8kSRqa0P
— Nathan Lanier (@treehousenate) March 25, 2019
Why would oxygen masks drop when smoke is present? The oxygen in the masks is diluted with the cabin air.
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