HONOLULU- Alaska Airlines (AS) sub-brand Hawaiian Airlines (HA) confirmed a precautionary return to Honolulu after one engine was shut down shortly after departure on a scheduled international flight. The aircraft landed safely following standard emergency procedures, with no injuries reported.
The incident involved Alaska Airlines Flight 865 departing Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu (HNL), en route to Pago Pago International Airport, Pago Pago (PPG). Pilots declared an emergency during climb-out and returned to the departure airport for inspection.
Hawaiian Airlines A330 Engine Shutdown
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A330-200, registration N382HA, operating as Alaska Airlines Flight AS865. Shortly after takeoff from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), the flight crew requested to level off at 5,000 feet due to a developing maintenance issue.
While working through the issue, the crew identified a FADEC overheat indication on the number one engine. FADEC, the Full Authority Digital Engine Control system, monitors and manages engine performance. Following checklist procedures, the pilots shut down the affected engine and formally declared an emergency.
Air traffic control provided immediate vectors to keep the aircraft close to Honolulu. The crew requested to stop on the runway after landing so emergency crews could inspect the engine before taxi.
Coordinated ATC Support and Visual Approach
Honolulu Departure and Tower controllers coordinated closely with the flight crew throughout the event. The aircraft remained at low altitude while troubleshooting continued, ensuring maximum safety margins during single-engine operations.
Once the crew confirmed readiness to return, the aircraft was vectored for a visual approach to Runway 8L. Weather conditions were stable, with light winds reported by the tower. The aircraft landed without further incident and came to a full stop on the runway as requested.
Fire and rescue units were positioned in advance and conducted an immediate external inspection of the shut-down engine.
Post-Landing Inspection and Taxi to Gate
Emergency responders confirmed there were no visible signs of fire, leaks, or structural damage on the number one engine. Temperature checks on the landing gear showed elevated but safe brake temperatures, consistent with a heavy aircraft returning shortly after takeoff.
After clearance from airport fire services, the aircraft taxied to the terminal under escort. The flight initially planned to park at Gate A4 but was later reassigned to Gate C5. One emergency vehicle followed the aircraft as a precaution until it reached the gate.
Passengers were deplaned normally, and the aircraft was removed from service for further technical evaluation.
Pilot and ATC Comms
Here’s a detailed transcription of the communication between the Hawaiian Airlines pilot and Honolulu ATC as flagged by YouCanSeeATC and recorded by LiveATC.net:
00:12
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, radar contact. Turn right heading 180, climb and maintain 16,000.
00:23
Alaska 865 Heavy: Right turn heading 180, climb and maintain 16,000, Alaska 865.
00:31
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, turn right heading 240.
00:35
Alaska 865 Heavy: Right turn heading 240, Alaska 865.
00:41
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, fly heading 240.
00:45
Alaska 865 Heavy: Heading 240. Request to level at 5,000. We are working on a maintenance issue.
00:51
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, roger. Maintain 5,000. Let me know if you need any assistance.
00:58
Alaska 865 Heavy: Copy, Alaska 865.
01:03
Alaska 865 Heavy: Departure, Alaska 865. At this time, we would like to declare an emergency.
01:10
Alaska 865 Heavy: We have shut down engine number one.
01:13
Alaska 865 Heavy: Request vectors while we troubleshoot.
01:18
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, roger. Fly heading 260. Maintain 5,000. Let me know if you need a different altitude.
01:25
Alaska 865 Heavy: Heading 260, maintain 5,000, Alaska 865.
01:35
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, confirm you shut down engine number one?
01:40
Alaska 865 Heavy: Affirmative. Stand by.
01:43
Departure: Roger.
01:48
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, when able, say fuel remaining and souls on board.
02:00
Alaska 865 Heavy: Souls on board 173. Fuel remaining 8.0.
02:09
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, roger.
02:15
Departure: When you know your intentions, advise. I will keep you westbound for now unless you prefer to stay closer to the airport.
02:24
Alaska 865 Heavy: Whatever keeps us closer to the airport.
02:28
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, turn right heading 330.
02:31
Alaska 865 Heavy: Right turn heading 330, Alaska 865.
02:39
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, turn right heading 100.
02:43
Alaska 865 Heavy: Right turn heading 100, Alaska 865, emergency.
02:56
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, go ahead.
02:58
Alaska 865 Heavy: We would like to plan a full stop on runway 8 Left with fire equipment standing by for inspection of engine number one.
03:06
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, roger. Do you want to proceed inbound now or would you like more time?
03:13
Alaska 865 Heavy: We are ready to commence the approach.
03:16
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, turn right heading 180. Descend and maintain 4,000.
03:30
Alaska 865 Heavy: Leaving 5,000 for 4,000, Alaska 865, emergency.
03:37
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, descend and maintain 3,000.
03:41
Alaska 865 Heavy: Descend and maintain 3,000, Alaska 865, emergency.
03:52
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, would you prefer a right or left turn to final?
03:57
Alaska 865 Heavy: We will take a right turn.
04:01
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, turn right heading 350. Maintain 3,000.
04:04
Alaska 865 Heavy: Right heading 350, maintain 3,000, Alaska 865, emergency.
04:13
Alaska 865 Heavy: Runway 8 Left in sight.
04:17
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, cleared visual approach runway 8 Left.
04:21
Alaska 865 Heavy: Cleared visual approach runway 8 Left, Alaska 865, emergency.
04:29
Departure: Alaska 865 Heavy, contact Honolulu Tower 118.1.
04:33
Alaska 865 Heavy: Over to tower. Thanks for the help.
04:38
Alaska 865 Heavy: Honolulu Tower, Alaska 865, emergency. Request full stop runway 8 Left.
04:45
Tower: Alaska 865 Heavy, wind 140 at 6. Runway 8 Left cleared to land.
04:51
Alaska 865 Heavy: Cleared to land runway 8 Left, Alaska 865, emergency.
04:54
Alaska 865 Heavy: Confirm fire trucks will meet us on the runway.
05:01
Tower: Alaska 865 Heavy, affirmative.
05:21
Alaska 865 Heavy: Tower, Alaska 865 is stopped on runway 8 Left at ENCO.
05:33
Tower: Alaska 865 Heavy, contact airport fire on 121.1.
05:39
Alaska 865 Heavy: Copy 121.1.
05:44
Airport Fire: Alaska 865 Heavy, this is Airport Battalion 2. How can we assist?
05:51
Alaska 865 Heavy: We had a FADEC overheat on engine number one. Request inspection of the left engine.
06:08
Airport Fire: Confirm engines at idle and parking brake set.
06:19
Alaska 865 Heavy: Engine two at idle, engine one shut down, parking brake set.
06:33
Airport Fire: Copy. We will chock the nose and inspect engine number one.
06:46
Alaska 865 Heavy: Confirmed. Brakes are warm but within limits.
07:05
Airport Fire: Was this an immediate return after departure?
07:11
Alaska 865 Heavy: Affirmative. FADEC overheat indication required shutdown.
07:31
Airport Fire: No visible issues on engine one. Brake temperature is highest on the number six tire.
08:24
Airport Fire: Temperatures are below 200. You are clear to taxi with escort.
09:07
Alaska 865 Heavy: Company advises new gate. Taxi to Charlie 5.
09:18
Airport Fire: Copy Charlie 5. One vehicle will follow as a precaution.
09:23
Alaska 865 Heavy: Appreciate the help today.
09:31
Airport Fire: Glad you made it back safely. Destination today?
09:33
Alaska 865 Heavy: Pago Pago.
09:36
Airport Fire: Good decision. Take care.
Safety Procedures Function as Designed
This event highlights the effectiveness of crew training, aircraft systems, and air traffic coordination. Engine shutdowns after takeoff are rare but fully anticipated in airline operations, with clear procedures designed to ensure safe outcomes.
At no point was the safety of passengers or crew compromised, and the decision to return was described by responders as appropriate and conservative.
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