Incident Overview
On June 4, 2013, at approximately 1435 local time, American Airlines Flight 187, operating a Boeing 777-200 with registration N782AN, declared a mayday due to emergency fuel while on approach to Beijing Capital International Airport (ZBAA) in Beijing, China. The flight had originated from Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois.
Weather Conditions
As AAL187 began its approach to ZBAA, a heavy thunderstorm was present at the airport, preventing the crew from landing. The flight crew selected Tianjin Binhai International Airport (ZBTJ) as an alternate, located about 150 kilometers from Beijing. However, upon approaching ZBTJ, the crew found that airport also fully covered by a heavy thunderstorm.
Diversion and Landing
The crew then selected Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (ZBSJ) as a second alternate. The flight landed uneventfully at ZBSJ. No further details on the fuel state or duration of the emergency were provided in the source.
Investigation
The Office of Aviation Safety, Northern Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China is investigating the incident. In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, the National Transportation Safety Board has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative, as the United States is the state of manufacture and the state of the operator.