AirAsia Flight Safely Returns to KL Due to Engine Trouble

An AirAsia flight to China had to turn back to Kuala Lumpur shortly after taking off because of a problem with one of its engines. The flight, called AK128, was a quick trip to Shenzhen but had to return when the airline noticed something unusual about the engine after leaving around 9:59 p.m. on Wednesday.

After taking off, there was a small fire in the right engine caused by a part that broke, but firefighters made sure everyone was safe after the airplane landed back in Kuala Lumpur after midnight with no injuries. AirAsia checked the engine and found that there was no fire, just hot air escaping from the damaged part.

All 171 passengers were moved to another plane that took them to Shenzhen on Thursday morning. The original plane should be back in service by March 31. Malaysia’s aviation authority has decided to investigate what happened.