Occurrence
On 11 December 2024 at 21:30 UTC, a Boeing 737-8 (SH) with registration LV-GFQ, operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas, experienced an in-flight incident while en route from Ushuaia (SAWH) to Buenos Aires Aeroparque (SABE) as scheduled commercial flight AR1879. During the cruise phase, the cockpit crew detected overheating in the VHF audio panel located on the pedestal. Minutes later, smoke began to emanate from the unit.
Emergency Response
The crew promptly declared an emergency to air traffic control and initiated a controlled descent. They diverted the aircraft to Aeropuerto Internacional General Enrique Mosconi in Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut province, where they landed without further incident. Meteorological conditions at the time were visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
Aftermath
After landing, maintenance personnel identified the source of the smoke as a short circuit in audio panel number 1. The panel was replaced in accordance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) task 23-51-02/401. A conditional inspection for smoke presence in the cockpit was also performed per AMM 05-51-56-200-801, which revealed no anomalies. The aircraft was later flown empty (ferry flight) to Buenos Aires. The aircraft sustained no damage, and no injuries were reported.
Investigation
The incident was investigated as a desk investigation by the Junta de Seguridad en el Transporte (JST), following the European Coordination Centre for Accident and Incident Reporting Systems (ECCAIRS) platform. The event was categorized as F-NI (fire/smoke, non-impact).