Hawaiian Airlines Smoky Cabin Attributed to Failed Seal in Engine

Hawaiian Airlines has since determined that the smoky cabin conditions, which prompted an emergency landing in Honolulu yesterday was caused by a failed seal in the aircraft’s left engine.

An airline spokesperson tells Maui Now that smoke resulted when oil got through the seal and “leaked onto hot parts of the plane’s engine and air conditioning pressurization system.”

Seven passengers were transported to local hospitals on Thursday for smoke-related respiratory complaints. All other passengers and the crew, who deplaned and were transported via bus to a terminal, have been since been reunited with their belongings, according to the airline.

Flight HA47 was en route from Oakland to Honolulu, and was about 20 minutes from its destination when smoke began filling the cabin.

The flight arrived at 11:36 a.m. with 184 passengers and seven crew members aboard. The plane’s emergency slides were deployed to assist passengers in an evacuation.

An airline spokesperson said the performance of the engine was not affected, and the Airbus A321neo flight landed without incident on runway 4R.

A fire suppression substance was activated in the cargo hold, but no flames were seen, according to earlier reports.

“We sincerely apologize to our passengers for this incident, and thank them, as well as first responders and airport officials, for their cooperation and assistance in a swift and safe evacuation. We are conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft before returning it to service,” said Alex Da silva, media relations spokesperson for Hawaiian Airlines.