Transavia Flight Declares Emergency to Land at Military Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • Lages, PT

A Transavia Boeing 737-800 was forced to declare an emergency at Lajes Airport after failing to secure prior permission for use of the military facility during a weather diversion.

What happened

On March 12, 2009, Transavia flight TRA-2323, a Boeing 737-800 with registration PH-HZX, was operating a flight from Amsterdam to Ponta Delgada, Azores. The flight was carrying 185 passengers and a crew of seven. During the flight, the pilot received weather updates indicating that visibility at the destination, Ponta Delgada, had dropped to 200 meters due to heavy fog, making landing impossible.

As the aircraft approached the Santa Maria Oceanic Control Area, the crew evaluated their first alternate, Santa Maria, but found weather conditions there were also deteriorating. The crew then decided to divert to their second alternate, Lajes Airport (LPLA). Upon contacting Santa Maria Air Traffic Control, the crew was informed that landing at Lajes—a military-controlled aerodrome—was not permitted without prior authorization or a declaration of emergency.

To avoid a much longer diversion to a distant mainland or different archipelago, the commander declared an emergency based on the weather conditions at the primary destination. The aircraft subsequently landed at Lajes at 15:59 UTC without further incident.

The investigation

The GPIAAF investigation examined the operational restrictions governing the use of military aerodromes in Portugal. It established that while Lajes maintains a civilian terminal and provides support services, civilian aircraft are generally prohibited from landing without a prior permission request (PPR) submitted at least three days in advance. The investigation found that while the flight had authorization from the Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority (INAC) to fly to Ponta Delgada, no request had been made to use Lajes as an alternate, nor was the PPR referenced in the flight plan.

Findings

  • The weather at Ponta Delgada was below landing minimums.
  • The weather at the first alternate, Santa Maria, was marginal and degrading.
  • The weather at Lajes was favorable with visibility exceeding 10km.
  • The crew was fully qualified, and the aircraft was airworthy.
  • The pilot declared an emergency because the operator had not secured the necessary prior permission to use the military aerodrome as an alternate.

Safety action

  • The GPIAAF recommended that the National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC) establish procedures to facilitate the operation of civilian aircraft at Lajes Airport, particularly when using it as an alternate for other Azorean islands, to avoid the unnecessary declaration of emergencies when no technical emergency exists.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by the operator's failure to request prior permission (PPR) for the use of the military aerodrome at Lajes, which necessitated the declaration of an emergency to obtain landing clearance during a weather diversion.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2009-03-12 Boeing B-737/800 accident near Lages, PT?

A Transavia Boeing 737-800 was forced to declare an emergency at Lajes Airport after failing to secure prior permission for use of the military facility during a weather diversion.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2009-03-12 involved a Boeing B-737/800, registration PH-HZX, at Lages, PT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by the operator's failure to request prior permission (PPR) for the use of the military aerodrome at Lajes, which necessitated the declaration of an emergency to obtain landing clearance during a weather diversion.

Loading the flight search…