On October 18, Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH9138 encountered a cabin smoke emergency after takeoff, and the crew quickly decided to return to Shijiazhuang and implement emergency evacuation procedures. The passengers left the plane safely through the escape slide, which caused widespread concern among netizens, especially about the cost of opening the escape slide once.
According to the statement released by Shenzhen Airlines' official Weibo, flight ZH9138 found smoke in the cabin shortly after takeoff, and in order to ensure flight safety, the crew handled it in accordance with the procedures and decided to return home. The flight landed safely at 14:24, and Shenzhen Airlines said it would make proper arrangements for the affected passengers.
A reporter from Xiaoxiang Morning News called Shenzhen Airlines about the specific cause of the cabin smoke, and the staff said that it was still under investigation.
The video sparked heated discussions among netizens, many of whom raised questions about the escape slide, saying that such an escape slide would cost a lot to open once, at least 200,000, and some people said that it was not so expensive.
Industry insiders said that the escape slide on the plane will automatically inflate and pop up in an emergency, providing an escape route for passengers. However, the cost of this process is not cheap. It is true that the repair cost of an escape slide is more expensive, but the exact amount varies from airline to airline and its maintenance company, and it is impossible to give an exact figure.
Rumor has it that an escape slide costs 200,000 or more to open once, but industry insiders have clarified this. Industry insiders say that although the maintenance cost of the slide is high, it will never reach such an exaggerated amount. However, the overall cost is still high due to the steps required to recycle, replace gas cylinders, etc., as well as lost time.
Industry insiders further explained that the escape slide is not a one-time product, but can be recycled. After the slide is used, it needs to be recycled and a series of repairs and updates to ensure that it can be used again. However, if the aircraft is older and the accessories cannot be found, the entire slide may need to be replaced.
Regarding the emergency evacuation of Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH9138, industry insiders said that although the cost of using the escape slide is high, in an emergency, ensuring the safety of passengers is the most important. She stressed that the airline will strictly follow the procedures for emergency evacuation and do its best to protect the lives of passengers.
Source | Xiaoxiang Morning News
Reporter | Huang Kangrui, Duan Yingqi, Man Yankun