Taiwan's Aviation Safety Council (ASC) is investigating an incident where a China Airlines Boeing 747-400 Freighter had to make an emergency landing because of a sudden loss of cabin pressure.

The aircraft, registration B-18716, was operating a Taipei-Abu Dhabi service when the incident happened on 8 September. At an altitude of about 30,000ft (9,150m), a cabin pressure warning sounded. The flight crew had to put on oxygen masks and declare a Mayday to air traffic control, requesting for an emergency landing. The aircraft eventually landed at Taoyuan International airport at 05:51 local time, without further incident.

The ASC has since conducted preliminary interviews with the pilots and removed the aircraft's flight data and cockpit voice recorders for further investigations. China Airlines declined to comment when contacted, saying the ASC is now investigating the case.

Flightglobal Pro data shows that the aircraft has been in service since 2003, and is owned by China Airlines.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news