A Singapore Airlines passenger jet which made an emergency landing in Beijing shortly after takeoff experienced only a false alarm, Xinhua learned late Wednesday.
The Boeing 777-200 passenger aircraft, which was carrying 227 passengers and 17 crew members, was en route from Beijing to Singapore, when an alarm sounded indicating a fire in its right engine.
It returned and landed safely at the Beijing Capital International Airport.
Engineers found no signs of fire, damage or excessively high temperatures after checking the engine thoroughly at the airport, said a source with the airlines, who didn't give his name.
He said the engine's heat-insulating shroud likely caused the false alarm.
The plane will remain in Beijing until the investigation is completed.
The source said the aircrew took the right measures in dealing with the fire alarm.
The company will arrange other flights to Singapore or free accommodation for the delayed passengers, the source said.
Experts say the incident tested the Beijing airport's ability to respond to emergencies.
(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2007)
