On June 15th, OK Airline BK2931 flight from Changsha to Zhanjiang returned to its departure airport after takeoff.
According to “Aviation Travel Network” data, OK Airline BK2931 (Changsha-Zhanjiang) flight took off from Changsha Huanghua International Airport at 14:27 on June 15th, squawking emergency code 7700 at 14:45, returning to Changsha Huanghua International Airport at 14:55, and then taking off again at 19:00.
Reported by “Red Star News,” on the evening of the 15th, it was learned from Changsha Huanghua International Airport that after takeoff of OK Airline BK2931 from Changsha to Zhanjiang on that afternoon, the flight crew detected a fault warning and subsequently returned. The detailed reason for the incident is still under investigation, with preliminary analysis suspecting it to be due to a mechanical malfunction.
Reported by “Orange Interactive · Urban Express,” inquiries revealed that the BK2931 flight was operated by a Boeing 737-900 (narrow-body aircraft) with an age of 7 years and 9 months.
The original plan for the flight was to depart from Changsha Huanghua Airport in Hunan at 13:00 and arrive at Wuchuan, Zhanjiang at 14:55. In reality, the flight took off at 14:27 on the same day, circled in the air, and returned at 14:58. OK Airline staff explained that it was due to a mechanical fault, but the specific details were not clear.
On June 16th, OK Airline’s official customer service response to “Southern Metropolis News” stated, “According to inquiries, after the delayed flight, another aircraft was coordinated to operate the Changsha-Zhanjiang flight. The return of BK2931 on the 15th was due to a mechanical failure. The aircraft will stay at the departure location for continued maintenance. Once the repairs are completed and confirmed for normal operation, it will be put back into service. Subsequent flights for BK2931 will be normal.”
After the flight returned, some passengers continued their journey on a replacement flight, while others chose not to take off again. The company arranged for food and accommodation.
A netizen from Hebei commented on the news, saying, “Is this plane flying on one leg?”
Ms. Li, a passenger on the flight, wrote on her social media, “Having a hot meal makes me feel alive again.”
When BK2931 took off again at 19:00, passengers had already experienced a delay of nearly 5 hours. According to civil aviation regulations, if the delay is caused by the airline exceeding 4 hours, compensation should be provided.
However, passengers facing difficulties in seeking compensation. Although dinner was provided at Changsha Airport, there were no reports of cash compensation, leaving passengers in a typical compensation dilemma.
One passenger complained, “Getting a certificate is harder than making an emergency landing!” He once spent 2 hours running around at an airport just to get the “Flight Delay Special Stamp,” while the insurance company required a physical original document for compensation claims.
According to OK Airline’s official website, the company was established in Beijing in March 2005 and was the first privately-owned airline in China to begin operations.