What happened
On January 15, 2017, at approximately 22:27 UTC, an Airbus A330-243, registration C-GTSN, operated by Air Transat A.T. Inc., declared a PAN PAN emergency. The aircraft was performing a flight from Warsaw (EPWA) to Varadero, Cuba (MUVR). Approximately six minutes after departure, while at an altitude of roughly 5,000 feet and 15 nautical miles from the airport, the crew notified air traffic control of the urgent situation and requested a return to the departure aerodrome.
The aircraft was carrying 347 occupants and approximately 70 tons of fuel. During the flight, the crew requested fire services assistance for the landing. At 23:32 UTC, the crew identified the cause of the emergency as overheating landing gear brakes. Following this notification, a Level 2 alarm was declared at Warsaw Chopin Airport. The crew fluctuated several times regarding whether to proceed with the flight or return to the airport, ultimately landing on runway 33 at 22:45 UTC.
Upon taxiing via DK S3, the crew stopped the aircraft to perform a visual inspection of the landing gear and brakes. Following the inspection, the aircraft was moved to stand number 74. After landing, an inspection of runway 33 and the taxiways revealed no irregularities.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the brake temperature increase and the subsequent emergency procedures. The investigation examined the aircraft's technical status, the crew's decision-making process during the flight, and the ground maintenance actions taken following the landing.