Created Tuesday, Apr 27th 2021 19:28Z, last updated Tuesday, Apr 27th 2021 19:28Z
A United Boeing 787-9, registration N24974 performing freight only flight UA-2781 from Guam (Guam) to Los Angeles,CA (USA) with 3 crew, was enroute at FL390 about 210nm westsouthwest of Midway Islands,UM (USA) when the crew decided to divert to Midway Atoll. The aircraft drifted down to about 17,000 feet and landed safely on Midway's Sand Island runway 06 about 35 minutes after leaving FL390.
Locals report the aircraft arrived in night time during off duty hours, the airport was not staffed at all. The crew used the pilot controlled runway lighting to turn the runway lights up and landed, however, there was no response on the Island. Almost three hours later somebody showed up at the airport.
The airline reported the aircraft carrying freight only diverted to Midway Atoll due to a mechanical problem.
Locals further reported a faulty flight deck shoulder heater as well as the lower recirculation fan were deactivated under minimum equipment list requirements by a maintenance team flown to Midway Island, the aircraft subsequently flew to Honolulu and further to Los Angeles.
The aircraft, that had originated in Singapore and had made an intermediate stop in Guam on its way to Los Angeles, remained on the ground at Sand Island for about 43 hours, then departed the island for Honolulu,HI (USA) and continued to Los Angeles after two hours on the ground in Honululu.
