What happened
On February 15, 2023, at approximately 18:30 UTC, a commercial flight, AR1688, was operating in the cruise phase of its journey from Aeropuerto Internacional Islas Malvinas to Aeropuerto Internacional de San Carlos de Bariloche. Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the crew of the Boeing 737-8BK, registration LV-FRK, detected smoke within the cabin accompanied by an electrical odor.
In response to the situation, the flight crew decided to divert the aircraft to an alternative destination at Aeropuerto Comandante Espora in Bahía Blanca. During the diversion, the crew issued a PAN PAN urgency signal and requested emergency services upon arrival. Prior to landing, the crew reported that the situation had been brought under control.
The investigation
The National Directorate of Aeronautical Occurrence Investigation conducted a review of the incident. Due to the nature of the event and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence, the authorities determined that a purely documentary investigation was appropriate. The investigation focused on the reports provided by the notified investigator regarding the initial actions taken during the event.
Findings
- The crew identified the presence of smoke and a distinct electrical smell during the cruise phase.
- The flight was diverted to Bahía Blanca to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.
- No injuries or fatalities were reported following the event.
- The investigation concluded that the event did not yield additional lessons for the improvement of national operational safety, leading to the decision to archive the proceedings.