PARIS — An Air France flight bound for South America declared an emergency mid-flight on Thursday afternoon after turning back over Southwestern Europe.
Air France flight AF442, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER registered as F-GSQD, had departed Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at 1:40 PM CEST, bound for Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport.
Approximately two hours into the flight, while cruising through Portuguese airspace, the crew transmitted an emergency alert (squawk 7700) and initiated an immediate U-turn back toward France.
Key Details of the Incident
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (Registration:
F-GSQD) - Departure: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) at 13:40 CEST
- Destination: Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
- Location of Turnaround: Portuguese Airspace
- Return Altitude: 30,000 feet
- Expected Arrival: ~18:15 CEST at Paris CDG
Flight radar tracking showed the wide-body jet cruising back northbound over French airspace at 30,000 feet as air traffic controllers prioritized its arrival route.
The aircraft is scheduled to land back at Paris Charles de Gaulle at approximately 6:15 PM CEST, where emergency services and ground crews will be on standby out of standard precautionary protocol.
