Acid leak on Malaysia Airlines aircraft caused by box of wet cell batteries

KOTA KINABALU — An acid leak on board a Malaysia Airlines aircraft at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport on Wednesdsay (Sept 13) originated from a box of wet cell batteries.

Malaysia Airports Kota Kinabalu senior manager Sunif Naiman, when contacted, confirmed that a 40kg CPU battery had leaked inside the aircraft cargo compartment.

“We received notification at 5.35pm (on Wednesday) about an incident involving a chemical leak on board flight MH2614.

“Upon landing, the aircraft was parked at Bay 5B and was cordoned off thereafter,” he said, adding that the flight was from Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Sunif said the Airport Fire and Rescue Services was called to proceed to the site and reached the aircraft parking bay at 6.07pm.

A hazardous material (Hazmat) team of 12 personnel was then called in to assist in neutralising the acid spill.

Sunif noted that the operation went smoothly. The incident did not affect other flight as well as airport operations.

According to a report by the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department, the Hazmat team inspected the cargo compartment and conducted a test on the acid leak using pH paper.

It stated that the reading was pH5 and the spill involved a UN2794 liquid-type acid, which is a corrosive substance.

“Cleaning work on the acid spill was carried out using sulphur powder and collected into a waste drum,” said the department.

The drum was then handed over to the airport staff for the next course of action. MALAY MAIL ONLINE