TOKYO: Airbus evacuation found unnecessary

Australia's Quantas Airways unnecessarily evacuated a passenger jetliner at Kansai International Airport in August 2005 after a smoke alarm malfunctioned and went off, transport ministry investigators determined Friday.

Nine people were injured in the incident, which was due to miscommunication among crew members and Japanese air traffic controllers, officials of the ministry's Aircraft and Railway Accidents Investigation Commission said.

The Airbus was carrying 194 passengers and crew members from Narita Airport to Perth, Australia. (IHT/Asahi: March 29,2008)