NOS News•yesterday, 9:31 PM•Amended yesterday, 11:14 PM
A KLM Boeing 737 en route from Oslo to Amsterdam made an emergency landing in southern Norway shortly after take-off due to a malfunction. The plane landed at Torp Sandefjord airport at 7:14 p.m., Norwegian police said. No one was injured.
The flight departed from Oslo at 6:55 PM. KLM says that “a loud noise could be heard”, after which the pilots decided to divert to Torp.
According to local media, pilots saw smoke coming from the left engine and were unable to control the plane after landing. The aircraft skidded and landed in the grass next to the runway.
KLM plane stands next to the runway after emergency landing
There were 182 people on board including crew. The passengers were transported to the terminal by bus and everyone arrived just before 9 p.m from the plane.
‘As if something had been hit’
Passenger Martin Frank, who was sitting in the front of the aircraft, also heard the loud noise at take-off. “It was like something had been hit,” he says. According to Frank, the captain was “very clear in his communication”. In the cabin, people remained calm.
Cyclist Amber Kraak was also on board. “Information came from the cockpit that it was a blowout. It was also said that the hydraulic system was broken.”
It was also said that due to fog in Oslo, the flight would be diverted to another airport. “There was a lot of clapping after landing.”
Once on the ground, logistical chaos ensued, Martin Frank continues. “Everyone has to go to the terminal, their suitcases have to be taken out and a hotel has to be arranged. We will go to Oslo later and hopefully go home tomorrow.”
Torp airport will be closed for the rest of the evening because the KLM aircraft has to be removed, the police report. The aircraft is partially stuck on the runway.
It is still unclear when the passengers can continue their journey. The National Accident Board has launched an investigation into the cause of the malfunction.
