Gas cylinder found aboard flight from US to Taiwan

[theLebanon]

Gas cylinder found aboard flight from US to Taiwan

CNA 2015-08-21 10:52

The gas cylinder found on a China Airlines flight at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Aug. 20. (Photo/CNA)

Police and a bomb crew were alerted Thursday after a pressurized gas cylinder was found in a container on a China Airlines flight from San Francisco shortly after it landed in Taiwan.

After an investigation with the help of the airport police, China Airlines said the cylinder, which was on Flight CI003 from San Francisco, was "empty and not dangerous."

Workers from a ground handling service company at San Francisco Airport admitted that they had put the tank in an empty unit load device–a container for baggage and packaged goods–but had forgotten to remove it, China Airlines said.

The fuel tank was spotted by workers at Taoyuan International Airport.

The device was immediately towed to an apron for examination, before a bomb crew arrived.

There were more than 210 people on the Boeing 777-300ER, which arrived at Taoyuan International Airport early Thursday.

No one was hurt or affected by the incident, China Airlines said, adding that the gas cylinder did not pose a threat.

The airline said, however, it will find out who was responsible for the incident and will hold the agent accountable, in accordance with the relevant regulations.