Smoke from Emirates 777 APU at Chennai International Airport

What Happened?
The incident occurred around 9:50 PM local time, just before the scheduled departure of the flight. The aircraft was in the process of being refuelled when ground staff noticed plumes of white smoke rising from the tail section of the plane. This smoke was traced back to the APU, a critical component that provides power to the aircraft when the main engines are not running.

Immediate Response
Upon noticing the smoke, airport officials and the flight crew quickly alerted the fire department. Firefighters promptly arrived at the scene and sprayed water on the affected area to control the situation. The smoke ceased within approximately 10 minutes, and technical experts conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft.

Passenger Experience
The incident understandably caused anxiety among the 320 passengers on board. Passengers were initially asked to disembark and wait in the terminal while the situation was assessed. This led to a delay of about 2.5 hours, during which Emirates provided updates and assistance to the affected passengers.

One passenger, Sathish, shared his experience on social media, expressing frustration over being asked to stand outside the aircraft for 50 minutes without any explanation. Emirates responded to his concerns, apologizing for the inconvenience and offering further assistance.

Emirates' Response
In a statement, an Emirates spokesperson confirmed that the smoke was due to a technical fault during refuelling. The airline emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew is of utmost importance and apologized for the delay. After a comprehensive engineering inspection, the aircraft was cleared to proceed to Dubai, and the flight eventually departed without further issues.

Technical Insights
The APU is a small engine located in the tail of the aircraft, primarily used to power electrical systems and start the main engines. During refuelling, excess fuel can sometimes cause heat build-up, leading to smoke or even minor fires if not managed properly. In this case, the prompt response by the ground crew and fire department ensured that the situation was quickly brought under control.

Conclusion
While such incidents can be alarming, they also highlight the importance of rigorous safety protocols and the readiness of airport emergency services. Emirates' swift response and transparent communication helped manage the situation effectively, ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers involved.