A Shanghai-bound flight from Los Angeles was compelled to make an unplanned U-turn back to the United States after the pilot discovered mid-flight that he had left his passport behind. The strange incident left passengers frustrated, who had already settled in for the long flight, only to be told that the plane would be heading back to its point of departure because of the paperwork error.
The pilot’s missing passport, explained the airline, would disqualify him from entering China upon arrival and would not allow him to proceed in operating the flight. A backup crew was arranged by the airline in advance, allowing impacted passengers to continue their travel later that night. The airline apologized for the delay and explained to the travelers that alternative solutions had been made to keep disruptions to a minimum.
Travelers vented their responses on social media, with some questioning how a failure so serious could happen in an industry that is so highly regulated. Others found the irony of a career pilot forgetting travel documents when passengers are regularly reminded to ensure theirs are in order before flying. The accident also sparked controversy regarding pre-flight checks and whether more should be added to avoid repeat incidents in the future.
While flight diversions usually occur for mechanical reasons or medical reasons, a U-turn for a lost passport is extremely rare. The airline subsequently scrutinized its procedures so that flight crew members’ documents are in hand prior to departure. The stranded passengers eventually arrived in Shanghai, although with an unplanned stopover back in Los Angeles.
