An international flight was forced to return to Australia after reports of smoke in the cockpit shortly after take-off.
SriLankan Airlines flight UL605, bound for Colombo, took off from Melbourne Airport shortly after 6.30pm (AEST) on Monday night.
But reports of smoke in the cockpit forced the pilot to declare an emergency and return to Victoria, according to travel talk.
SriLankan Airlines flight UL605, heading to Colombo, left Melbourne Airport shortly after 6.30pm (AEST) but was forced to turn back after an emergency (file image)
The transmission of squadron code 7700, which indicates an emergency, caused the flight to become the most tracked in the world: almost 10,000 people followed it on FlightRadar24.com (pictured: the plane’s trajectory).
The broadcast of squadron code 7700, which indicates an emergency, caused the flight to become the most followed in the world, with almost 10,000 people following it on FlightRadar24.com.
The airline said it had identified a “technical issue.”
“All passengers on board disembarked safely,” SriLankan Airlines said. 7NEWS.com.au.
“A team of technicians is currently evaluating the aircraft and providing technical support.”
The plane was met by emergency services when it landed.