Hainan Airlines HU492 flight to Beijing makes an emergency return. Passengers captured images of fuel being dumped mid-air and a cracked windshield. The aircraft model is Boeing 787!

Early morning on February 7, a passenger reported that Hainan Airlines flight HU492 returned to the airport after takeoff, suspected to be caused by a cracked windshield.

The FlightAware platform shows that the involved HU492 flight was operated by a Boeing 787-9 wide-body aircraft, registration B1546, with an age of 9.2 years and 289 seats. The flight was canceled at 3:05 AM on February 7.

Passenger captures oil being dumped in midair and a cracked windshield

Hainan Airlines reports: mechanical failure, aircraft safely landed

The flight was originally scheduled to depart Brussels for Beijing at 12:20 local time on February 6. A passenger posted on social media, saying, “I thought it was a minor incident. When I got off the jet bridge, I realized the windshield was shattered.” Journalists found on social media that several netizens saw HU492 releasing oil in midair, then returning to the airport. Some also posted photos of the front windshield of the aircraft cracked.

According to reports, a Hainan Airlines customer service representative told reporters that the system indicated a mechanical failure. “We will ensure proper arrangements for affected passengers during the delay.” As for whether the return was caused by the cracked windshield, the representative said the system currently does not show a specific reason.

On February 7, Hainan Airlines announced: On February 6, 2026, our HU492 (Brussels-Beijing) flight returned due to mechanical failure. The crew followed proper procedures, and the flight safely landed at Brussels Airport at 21:17 Beijing time. The company will properly handle passenger services and ensure passengers reach their destinations safely. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to passengers and thank everyone for their understanding and support. The company always adheres to the principles of passenger first and life first, providing safe, comfortable, and efficient services for travelers.

Senior pilot: Windshield cracks are a common issue

Most cases can be safely landed

It is understood that windshield cracks are sudden mechanical failures during flight, which can be caused by high-speed impact from foreign objects, thermal stress changes, structural fatigue, or heating system failures. The cockpit windshield of the Boeing 787 is designed with multiple layers; the outer layer is non-structural glass. This crack did not pose a fundamental safety risk.

Senior pilot Chen Jianguo explained that windshield cracks are a common fault. Generally, if only the outer or middle layer of the windshield is cracked—such as on B737, A380, or 320 series aircraft—it mainly affects the pilot’s visibility but does not compromise flight safety.

Aircraft typically have six windshields: one directly in front of each pilot, one at an angle, and one on the side. If the windshield directly in front of one pilot cracks, the other pilot can still continue to fly safely. Even if all windshields are damaged, and the pilots’ visibility is affected, most aircraft can rely on automatic landing systems to land safely without much visual input. The aircraft can still land safely.

When a windshield is damaged, pilots can use a pen or fingernail to feel along the crack to check if the inner layer is damaged. If the inner layer is broken, because it’s impossible to assess whether the middle layer is also compromised, the aircraft should descend immediately to reduce the pressure difference inside and outside the plane, preventing further damage and potential loss of the entire windshield. If the inner layer is intact, since it can withstand at least twice the maximum pressure difference, the aircraft remains safe to continue flying.

(Source: Daily Economic News)