What happened
On December 20, 2012, an Airbus A330-223 was involved in a serious in-flight malfunction while operating near Phuket, Thailand. During the flight, the aircraft experienced significant damage to the left engine. This mechanical failure triggered a sequence of critical system degradations, most notably the loss of both hydraulic systems.
Following the engine damage, the flight crew managed the emergency and prepared for an approach to Phuket. During the descent and approach phases, the crew faced high workloads and complex system indications. The aircraft eventually landed at the aerodrome, resulting in no injuries to the occupants, though the aircraft sustained light damage.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the left engine and the subsequent loss of hydraulic pressure. Investigators examined the engine's internal components, the engine mounting, and the hydraulic system architecture. The investigation also included a detailed analysis of the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) to evaluate the crew's response to the unfolding emergency.
Furthermore, the investigation assessed the crew's adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the effectiveness of their Crew Resource Management (CRM). The BFU reviewed the crew's use of the Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) and Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) during the high-workload period following the engine damage.