A Cayman Airlines Boeing 737-300 was evacuated in Orlando after the pilots received a cargo smoke warning.
The aircraft, registered VP-CAY, was performing flight KX792 from Grand Cayman to New York JFK with 108 people on-board when the pilots initiated a descent from 33,000ft to Orlando.
Upon landing, the aircraft came to a full stop on runway 36R and an evacuation was ordered by the crew. All members departed the aircraft using escape slides.
No injuries occurred during the evacuation and after an inspection of the aircraft by emergency services, no traces of smoke, heat or fire were found.
🔀 DIVERSION SMOKE/EVAC
— Tom Podolec Aviation (@TomPodolec) September 9, 2019
Cayman Airways #KX792
George Town to New York
Diverted to Orlando.
Smoke indication in cargo hold.
Passengers evacuated via emergency slides. No injuries reported. https://t.co/UxPm7ItzsZ pic.twitter.com/LyUNeM3Gve
Passengers evacuate Cayman Airways flight KX792 after it makes emergency landing in Orlando due to smoke on board (Video: GusFlrsFrgs). https://t.co/4ogEaTYzKe pic.twitter.com/VDkwNek6vB
— Breaking Aviation News (@breakingavnews) September 9, 2019
Cayman Airlines states the aircraft was evacuated due to the uncertainty of the situation. All passengers were placed in a hotel before departing on a flight on Monday 9th September.
“We are extremely mindful that this emergency landing and evacuation was a very distressing event. On behalf of Cayman Airways, I offer a most sincere apology to our passengers for having to experience this emergency landing and evacuation, which was necessary in the interest of the safety of our passengers and crew. We have removed the affected aircraft from service indefinitely in order to accomplish the required repairs.”
Cayman Airways President and CEO, Fabian Whorms
Currently operating for Cayman Airlines are three Boeing 737-300s, two Saab 340Bs and two De Havilland DHC 6-300 Twin Otters.
Also in their fleet are two Boeing 737 MAX 8s with an additional two on order, however the global grounding of the type has prevented the replacement of the 737-300s straight away.
The affected aircraft is currently undergoing repairs and will commence service shortly.
Cover image: JENN CHIRICO/PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER LYNN