QF flight involved in "Hijack scare"

[Jamie D]

I heard on the news last night that a QF flight from ADL to MEL was involved in a hijack scare. Plane made it safely to melbourne and was parked away from the terminal at tullamarine whilst it was investigated. Passengers apparently were left standing out near the runway whilst it was checked out by authorities, who later gave it the all clear.

Anyone else hear about this or know what actually sparked the scare?

[Steve B.]

Many years ago, in the days of Ansett, an Ansett aircraft, which was still in Melbourne's CTA, and flying to Adelaide from Melbourne was involved in a similar incident. The FO had inadvertently indicated that the aircraft had been hijacked. Despite numerous attempts by the company and ATC it was not until the aircraft was inside 10nms from Adelaide that it was finally established that the aircraft was probably not in danger. However, the Distress phase that was declared at the time of the initial indication was not cancelled until the aircraft was boarded, searched and then cleared by the police.
Obviously I can not elaborate on how the Hijack indication was received or what actions followed between the aircraft and ATC.
There were however some very red faces after the incident. I've always wondered whether Ansett were billed for the costs of the emergency services response, including strategically place snipers etc.

[Steve Jones]

PPrune suggests that the plane may have been mistakenly broadcasting the wrong transponder code. I guess one can't take any chances...

[Anthony T]

If the incident happened in the US, they would have shot down the plane, then asked questions.

[Marty H]

Originally Posted by Anthony T

If the incident happened in the US, they would have shot down the plane, then asked questions.

The only way the USA deal with these types of incidents

[Chris Griffiths]

Originally Posted by Anthony T

If the incident happened in the US, they would have shot down the plane, then asked questions.

Gonna call BS on this...
There have been many such incidents in the US in the last 6+ years.. how many airliners have been shot down?

[D Chan]

Originally Posted by Chris Griffiths

Gonna call BS on this...
There have been many such incidents in the US in the last 6+ years.. how many airliners have been shot down?

They won't be shot down unless they are absolutely certain the terrorists has control or the aircraft does not adhere to instructions and fly over major landmarks etc. there were a few times when the Airforce sent fighters to escort the aircraft involved..

[Daniel M]

Was working when this was happening. QF 737-800 was sittingo on taxiway sierra, between Juliet and Yankee, for approaximately 30 mins or so. Beacons were still on, not sure if engines were still running. The whole south tarmac was evacuated, no persons were allowed further south than the Rex finger, with Melbourne airport and APS making sure of this. A Rex flight was cancelled, and a few others were delayed. Still haven't found out what the exact problem was. Would be interesting to get the full story.

[Adam P.]

Cancelled Rex flight was a MEL-MGB return - an additional flight was scheduled for the following morning to move disrupted pax.

[David Sims]

I am happy to hear that the media didn't exaggerate the situation.