Engine blade issue forces takeoff halt

A China Eastern Airlines’ passenger aircraft aborted takeoff at Hongqiao airport Thursday after a “mechanical malfunction.”

The Airbus 330 on Flight MU5103 from Shanghai to Beijing braked while taxiing for takeoff at around 9am. The plane returned to the apron and another aircraft was dispatched for the flight.

Passenger Zhao said she felt the engine suddenly shut down while taxiing and the cabin was “filled with a burning smell.”

“I almost bumped into the seat in front after a sharp brake during taxiing,” Zhao said. “An announcement about 20 minutes later said the aircraft had to return to the apron.”

Passengers were asked to disembark around 10am and boarded another aircraft around noon. The new aircraft took off at 12:47pm and landed at Beijing Capital International Airport at 2:39pm, over three hours late.

Senior captain Chen Jianguo posted a photo on Weibo showing several blades of the engine broken.

An industry insider told Shanghai Daily that the engine was probably damaged by a bird strike, a common incident during takeoff or landing.