A fire alarm incident in the cargo hold of a China Southern Airlines Flight was successfully handled on November 13. Related airlines, airports and ATC entities closely cooperated with each other, made a joint and quick response both in the air and on the ground in only 21 minutes, and guaranteed the safe landing of the flight and immediate evacuation of passengers on board.

At 21:35 that day, a Boeing 737 aircraft of Guangxi Branch of China Southern Airlines (Flight CZ6406 from Nanjing to Guilin) had a fire alarm in its cargo hold. The air crew immediately started the emergency response procedures and decided the alternate landing spot. The plane landed safely at Changsha Airport at 21:56. Following manual instructions, the air crew conducted emergency evacuation process, organized all 151 passengers on board to leave the aircraft by the slide. One passenger had a mild ankle sprain during the evacuation. All of the passengers were appropriately relocated. China Southern Airlines arranged another aircraft for the flight.

ATC entities, after receiving the air crew’s report, promptly initiated the emergency command system, notified other aircraft to take evasive action, and guaranteed the safe landing of the flight. Meanwhile, they coordinated with fire prevention and emergency rescue departments at the airport to make preparations for the evacuation. Changsha Huanghua Airport closed according to relevant CAAC regulations, started its emergency rescue process, arranged fire control and rescue departments to stand by, and assisted the air crew in evacuating passengers. The airport resumed operation at 23:35 after being checked and confirmed that operational safety not affected.

CAAC administration paid close attention to the incident and raised specific requirements on incident investigation. CAAC Central and Southern Regional Administration immediately set up an investigation team. Preliminary investigation revealed that it was an alternate landing caused by a false fire alarm due to a failure of aircraft alarm system, not an air transport accident or incident. In general, airlines, ATC entities and airports acted in close coordination, the cabin crew handled the situation correctly on board, ATC entities offered powerful emergency support, and relevant airport divisions carried out in-time and effective emergency measures which complied with safety requirements.