DUBLIN — A United Airlines transatlantic flight bound for the United States was forced to return to Dublin Airport shortly after departure on Sunday following reports of an overwhelming odor in the passenger cabin.
Flight UA316, scheduled service from Dublin (DUB) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), departed from Runway 28R at 13:10 UTC. The 29-year-old Boeing 757-200, registered as N14118, climbed to an initial cruising altitude of 31,000 feet before the flight crew halted the climb.
Just 20 minutes into the flight, the crew made the decision to turn back toward Ireland. According to a source familiar with the matter, the turnback was prompted by a strong, headache-inducing smell detected inside the cabin according to source.
Air traffic controllers vectored the aircraft back toward Dublin, where it executed a safe landing approximately one hour after its initial takeoff.
United Airlines subsequently cancelled the remainder of Flight UA316. Passengers were deplaned at Dublin Airport, and the aircraft was removed from service to undergo maintenance inspections and safety checks to determine the source of the odor.
