Moments after midnight on September 29th, UPS (5X) flight 214, en route to Louisville, Kentucky, was diverted to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) due to a bomb threat. Let’s explore the incident further.
Bomb threat on UPS flight 5X124
On September 28th, a UPS Boeing B747-8F left Cologne Airport (CGN) and was bound for Louisville, in Kentucky. However, the flight was diverted from its destination due to the threat of a bomb reportedly being on the plane.
According to Flightradar24, the flight was operated by N618UP, a 2-year-old Boeing B747-8F. The Boeing 747 left Cologne (CGN) at 19:44 UTC, bound for one of the cargo operator’s main hubs in the United States, Louisville. After leaving German airspace, flight 5X214 reached a cruise altitude of 30,000 ft; it flew over the Netherlands, the North Sea, and Scotland. From here, the Boeing B747-8F started to turn slightly towards the northwest, pointing towards Greenland.
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
After taking off from Cologne, Germany, UPS flight 214 flew for approximately two hours before starting its descent to Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying
After being airborne for approximately two hours, at 22:40 UTC, flight 5X214 suddenly turned towards the northeast, as if it was about to fly back to mainland Europe. However, about five minutes later, the Boeing B747-8 started its descent towards Keflavik International Airport (KEF); flight 5X214 rapidly descended from 30,000 ft to 3,300 in just 14 minutes.
At 23:06 UTC, the Boeing B747-8F safely landed at the Icelandic airport. Flight 5X214 was parked at a safe distance from other aircraft. Additionally, for security reasons, some commercial flights bound for Keflavik were diverted, while others had to wait at the holding point while police inspected the freighter jumbojet.
Approximately two hours after leaving Cologne (CGN), UPS flight 5X214 made a north-west turn and started its descend towards Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Data: Flightradar24
Flightradar24 also reported the news through a Tweet, confirming the freighter aircraft landed at Keflavik Airport following a bomb threat onboard.
Second bomb threat in a week
UPS flight 5X214 is the second case of an alleged bomb onboard an aircraft this week.
On September 27th, a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Singapore Changi (SIN) was escorted to its final destination by fighter jets because of a bomb threat made by a 37-year-old male passenger, who stated he was carrying a bomb in his hand luggage.
On September 27th, a Singapore Airlines A350 was escorted by fighter jets to Changi Airport (SIN) following a bomb threat made by a passenger. Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying
After safely landing in Singapore, the passenger was arrested under terrorism measures and for suspected drug consumption. The police could find no sign of a bomb in the passenger’s carry-on. The police further investigated the potential presence of explosives onboard the Airbus A350; however, the authorities found no explosive device.
Previously this year, an easyJet flight from London Gatwick (LGW) to Menorca (MAH) in Spain was escorted by Spanish F-18s after a British 18-year-old man had alerted of a possible bomb threat on the flight on his social media. After safely landing in Menorca, the easyJet A319 was parked at a remote stand and inspected by the police. Luckily enough, no bomb or explosive devices were found onboard. Shortly afterward, the 18-year-old man was arrested.
Earlier this summer, an easyJet A319 from London Gatwick to Menorca was also escorted by Spanish F-18s after an alleged bomb onboard. Photo: Getty Images
Simple Flying reached out to UPS for further comment. We will update the article with any additional information from the airline.
How would you react to a bomb threat onboard your flight? Let us know in the comment section below!
Source: simpleflying.com
