A KLM Boeing 737 traveling from Oslo to Amsterdam was forced to make an emergency landing in southern Norway on Friday evening after encountering a technical malfunction shortly after
takeoff. The aircraft safely landed at Torp Sandefjord Airport at 7:14 p.m. local time, with all 182 passengers and crew unharmed, according to Norwegian police.
The flight, which departed Oslo at 6:55 p.m., experienced a loud noise shortly after takeoff, alarming passengers and crew. In a statement, KLM confirmed, "There was a hard noise," prompting the pilots to divert to Torp as a precautionary measure.
Reports from local media revealed that smoke was observed coming from the plane's left engine. After landing, the aircraft lost steering capability, skidded off the runway, and came to a stop on the grass.
Cyclist and Dutch passenger Amber Kraak explained that cockpit announcements initially suggested a tire blowout, which also caused damage to the hydraulic system. Due to foggy conditions in Oslo, the pilots opted to land at the alternate airport.
Martin Frank, another passenger seated near the front of the plane, described the experience. "The loud noise felt like hitting something," he said, praising the captain for clear and calming communication throughout the incident. Passengers expressed their relief with applause upon the aircraft's safe landing.
However, the aftermath was not without challenges. Frank recounted logistical delays, including retrieving luggage and arranging accommodations. "It was a logistical mess," he remarked. Many passengers were redirected back to Oslo and hoped to continue their journeys the next day.
The aircraft’s flight path was visible on tracking site Flightradar24. Following the emergency landing, Torp Sandefjord Airport remained closed for the rest of the evening while the partially immobilized plane was removed from the runway, police reported.
The Norwegian Accident Investigation Board has launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the malfunction. Photo by w:es:Usuario:Barcex, Wikimedia commons.