Technical Failure Leads to Return of Aerolíneas Argentinas Boeing 737

Casualties unknown • Aeropuerto Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (Sabe) (Buenos Aires), AR

A Boeing 737-800 operating for Aerolíneas Argentinas returned to Buenos Aires after experiencing simultaneous navigation control panel failures during flight.

What happened

On April 12, 2020, a Boeing 737-800, registration LV-FQB, was performing a scheduled commercial flight from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. During the flight, the crew identified a technical malfunction involving the navigation control panels, specifically detecting a failure on both sides of the system.

Upon detecting the error, the crew inspected the relevant fuses and found them to be in their normal positions. The flight crew attempted to reset the system to restore functionality. Although the reset initially appeared successful, the navigation control panels indicated a failure again within one minute of the attempt. Following consultation with the airline's operations, the decision was made to abort the flight to Ushuaia and return to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. The aircraft landed safely without further incident or damage.

The investigation

The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) reviewed the technical documentation and information gathered regarding the event. The investigation focused on the sequence of the navigation system failure and the crew's response to the electrical malfunction. The investigation concluded that the event did not meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as an aviation accident or incident.

Probable cause

A recurring failure in the navigation control panels persisted despite attempts to reset the system via fuses.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2020-04-12 BOEING B-737 accident near Aeropuerto Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (Sabe) (Buenos Aires), AR?

A Boeing 737-800 operating for Aerolíneas Argentinas returned to Buenos Aires after experiencing simultaneous navigation control panel failures during flight.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2020-04-12 involved a BOEING B-737, registration LV-FQB, operated by Aviación Comercial, at Aeropuerto Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (Sabe) (Buenos Aires), AR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A recurring failure in the navigation control panels persisted despite attempts to reset the system via fuses.

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