The Airbus A330-300, registration 9M-MTK, was accelerating down runway 16R for flight MH89 to Kuala Lumpur when the crew rejected the takeoff at roughly 30 knots after the left engine, a Pratt & Whitney PW4168, began emitting flames and smoke and losing power, according to the Aviation Heralda specialist site documenting airline incidents.
The thrust loss pulled the aircraft to the left before the pilots held it inside the runway and steered back onto the centerline. It remained there for about an hour before returning to the apron, the site said.
Black smoke was seen coming from the rear of the engine at about 10:40 a.m. local time, Kyodo News reported, citing Japan’s transport ministry.
None of the 160 passengers and crew members aboard were injured.
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Malaysia Airlines planes are seen parked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, Oct. 6, 2020. Photo by Reuters |
Footage posted to YouTube showed the jet stopped on the runway with at least six airport emergency vehicles around it, AsiaOne reported.
Narita closed Runway A for safety inspections, public broadcaster NHK said.
Malaysia Airlines confirmed the crew discontinued the takeoff following a technical issue involving one of the engines and canceled the flight, in a statement carried by Malaysian national news agency Named. The aircraft is undergoing a thorough technical inspection, the carrier said.
Neither the airline nor Japanese authorities have identified what caused the failure.
The airline apologized for the disruption and said affected passengers were being assisted with alternative travel arrangements and would be accommodated on the next available flights to Kuala Lumpur.
“Meals, lounge access and hotel accommodation are being provided where applicable,” Malaysia Airlines said, adding that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remains its highest priority.