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Passengers refuse to board Auckland-bound MAS flight after 2 aborted take-offs

KUALA LUMPUR — A group of passengers endured the harrowing experience of two aborted take-offs on board an Auckland-bound flight while ushering in the New Year.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH145 flight from Kuala Lumpur, scheduled to depart at 8.45pm on Jan 1, was already on the runway when it came to a shuddering halt just before lift-off.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH145 flight from Kuala Lumpur, scheduled to depart at 8.45pm on Jan 1, was already on the runway when it came to a shuddering halt just before lift-off.

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KUALA LUMPUR — A group of passengers endured the harrowing experience of two aborted take-offs on board an Auckland-bound flight while ushering in the New Year.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH145 flight from Kuala Lumpur, scheduled to depart at 8.45pm on Jan 1, was already on the runway when it came to a shuddering halt just before lift-off.

Recalling the experience, passenger Serjit Singh said the plane skidded on the tarmac, and passengers lurched forward in their seats.

“I thought we were goners,” he said.

The pilot reportedly said there were “instrument issues” and had the aircraft taxied back to the tarmac.

Engineers then boarded the plane while passengers were only allowed to disembark three hours later.

Mr Serjit said the passengers were told to return to the airport the next day for a 10am flight.

He said it was the same plane and a flight attendant had said in was in “good condition and they would arrive in Auckland safely”.

However, the plane came to another abrupt stop on the tarmac shortly before take-off.

Passengers were told to disembark while the issue was fixed.

Mr Serjit said they refused to get back into a plane that was “not fit to fly” and could “risk their lives”.

“We are not to be used as crash test dummies,” he added.

It was reported that MAS later sourced an aircraft for an afternoon flight which touched down in Auckland on Jan 3.

A video clip showed a man, believed to be a member of the airline crew, addressing a group of frustrated passengers. NEW STRAITS TIMES

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