What happened
On June 4, 2013, at approximately 14:35 local time, American Airlines flight 187, a Boeing 777-200 bearing registration N782AN, declared a mayday due to an emergency fuel situation while approaching Beijing Capital International Airport (ZBAA) in Beijing, China.
As the aircraft began its approach to ZBAA, the flight crew encountered a heavy thunderstorm at the airport, which prevented a landing. The crew subsequently selected Tianjin Binhai International Airport (ZBTJ) as an alternate airport, located approximately 150km from the original destination. Upon approaching ZBTJ, the crew found the airport also covered by heavy thunderstorm activity. The flight then diverted to Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (ZBSJ), where the aircraft eventually landed. The flight had originated from Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Illinois. There were no injuries resulting from this event.