World · World News Bureau
Radio malfunction sparks false hijack alert over Germany
German authorities scrambled fighter jets to intercept a commercial aircraft after receiving a hijack alert that was later determined to have been triggered by a radio communication error. The plane, traveling from Corfu to Nuremberg, was safely escorted to its destination.
LSN World News ·
A technical glitch in aircraft radio communications led to an emergency response from German authorities on Thursday when a pilot inadvertently transmitted a hijack alert code while operating a commercial flight.
The aircraft, en route from the Greek island of Corfu to Nuremberg, activated the distress signal during a routine flight. German air traffic control responded by immediately deploying military fighter jets to shadow the plane and assess the situation.
Upon investigation, authorities determined that the alert had been sent in error due to a radio malfunction rather than an actual security threat. The pilot was able to clarify the situation with ground control, confirming all passengers and crew were safe.
The aircraft was escorted to Nuremberg Airport where it landed without further incident. German aviation authorities said they were reviewing the circumstances surrounding the false alert as part of standard protocol. No passengers were injured during the incident.