AirAsia flight turns back to KLIA after technical issue
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2026-05-19,KUALA LUMPUR
An AirAsia flight bound for Sandakan was forced to turn back to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after experiencing a technical issue shortly after takeoff on Sunday.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), when contacted by the New Straits Times, confirmed the matter.
"AirAsia flight AK5192 requested to return to Kuala Lumpur after the pilot detected a technical issue during the flight. The aircraft later landed safely," it said.
According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, the Airbus A320 departed KLIA at 6.24am before turning back over Negri Sembilan about 12 minutes later.
The aircraft then flew over the Strait of Malacca in a holding pattern before landing safely at KLIA at 7.17am.
The New Straits Times has reached out to AirAsia for further details on the technical issue.
Meanwhile, a social media posting believed to be from a passenger on board claimed the aircraft's right engine appeared to malfunction and emit flames, sparking panic among passengers.
The post further alleged that the aircraft circled in the air before making a safe landing at KLIA, where emergency services were reportedly on standby.