- United Airlines flight UA316 declared an emergency and returned to Dublin Airport on 4 October
- The crew reported a strong fuel odour with headaches and a burning sensation in the nasal passages
- The aircraft was a 29-year-old Boeing 757-200 with registration N14118
- The flight made an overweight landing on Dublin’s runway 28R roughly 55 minutes after departure
- United Airlines cancelled the flight and removed the aircraft from service
A United Airlines flight from Dublin to Newark has declared an emergency and returned to Dublin Airport on 4 October after the crew reported a strong fuel odour together with headaches and a burning sensation in the nasal passages. Flight UA 316, a Boeing 757, had reached around 31,000 feet over County Mayo when the decision was taken to turn back. The aircraft made an overweight landing on Dublin’s newest runway and medical personnel were requested.
The flight was operated by a 29-year-old Boeing 757-200 with registration N14118. The plane departed Dublin at approximately 14:10 local time. It reached an initial cruising altitude of 31,000 feet before the crew halted the climb and decided to return just 20 minutes into the flight. The flight crew advised air traffic control that they were executing an overweight landing. The aircraft landed safely on Dublin’s runway 28R roughly 55 minutes after departure. Paramedics met the aircraft on the apron to treat affected cabin crew and passengers.
United Airlines subsequently cancelled the flight, deplaned the passengers and removed the aircraft from service to undergo maintenance and safety inspections. The crew noted that despite the powerful smell, there were no flight deck indications of an actual fuel leak.
