SriLankan Airlines flight UL 306, which departed from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake bound for Singapore on the evening of June 5, was forced to make an emergency landing at Kuala Namu International Airport in Medan, Indonesia, following a reported technical malfunction.
The quick decision-making and skillful handling by Captain Sujeeshwa Abeysekera were commended, especially given the complexity of the ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) flight, which requires meticulous adherence to safety protocols.
Upon inspection after its safe landing, the engineers concluded that the aircraft could not be repaired immediately, prompting SriLankan Airlines to dispatch a technical crew from Sri Lanka to Jakarta, who then proceeded to Medan early on June 6 to carry out the necessary repairs. To mitigate passenger inconvenience, the airline arranged a separate flight to depart at 1:45 p.m. local time the same day, ensuring the stranded passengers could reach their destination; however, many passengers expressed frustration over extended delays, inadequate airport facilities, and a lack of timely communication throughout the ordeal.
A Similar Incident Experienced In The Past
A veteran pilot, reflecting on a similar experienced situation over a decade ago involving a Mihin Lanka narrow-body Airbus aircraft, recalled that incident and the dangers posed by supercooled water droplets hidden in seemingly innocent opaque clouds.
Whilst speaking to The Morning Telegraph he said “These droplets can freeze upon contact, disabling key aircraft sensors and causing the onboard computers to deliver faulty readings or shut down. In that prior case, prompt descent into warmer air restored the aircraft systems mid-flight.”
The pilot further emphasized the critical importance of situational awareness, suggesting such phenomena might be a recurring concern and worthy of being formally brought to the attention of Airbus, the aircraft manufacturer.
Despite the current incident, SriLankan Airlines continues to uphold a rigorous safety culture. Notably, in recent months, two captains have reportedly been downgraded to the rank of first officer, and one first officer has been dismissed for failing simulator evaluations measures reflecting the airline’s ongoing commitment to operational safety and competence.
