Dropped mobile phone causes chaos for aircraft

Oct 21 2009

A PLANE bound for Newcastle was nearly totally dismantled when a mobile phone fell into an air vent.

The Jet2 plane had just touched down at Murcia airport when a passenger reported he had dropped his phone, which had fallen out of sight. Because the phone was switched on, airport officials refused to let the plane take off until it had been found.

Passengers were delayed for three hours while seating was taken apart and the cockpit checked for the offending device.

A spokesperson for the flight company thanked customers for their understanding during the delay, which took place on Sunday.

He said: "We always operate to the highest standards of safety and care and whilst it was no doubt inconvenient that people had to wait for us to retrieve the phone, any mobile or similar communications device that is switched on would need to be removed from the aircraft in order to ensure maximum safety for our passengers.

"We would like to remind all those travelling by air not to switch their phones on until they reach the airport terminal."

Story courtesy of BBC News website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/8317349.stm