’Chemical smell’ in Jetstar cabin forces pilots to make U-turn

It has been revealed what the concerning chemical smell was that prompted Jetstar pilots to make a U-turn back to Brisbane.

A Jetstar flight heading to Townsville was forced to do a U-turn back to Brisbane Airport on Tuesday after a “chemical smell” was detected in the cabin.

The smell in question turned out to be hydraulic fluid after recent scheduled maintenance.

More than 100 passengers were on the early morning Brisbane to Townsville flight, which began to turn around near Gympie, according to data from flightradar24.

Pilots turned around a Jetstar flight after a chemical smell was noticed in the cabin. Picture: flightradar24

“We’re sorry for disrupting our customers’ travel plans after their flight to Townsville had to return to Brisbane due to a chemical smell in the cabin,” Jetstar said in a statement provided to news.com.au.

“Safety is always our top priority and pilots followed standard procedures with the flight landing normally.”

Jetstar said engineers would examine the aircraft before it returns to carrying passengers.

A replacement aircraft was arranged to take the passengers to their destination on Tuesday afternoon, touching down in Townsville just before 5.30pm.