Boeing 737 Returns to Tucumán Following APU Failure

Casualties unknown • Aeropuerto Tucumán (Tucuman), AR

An Aerolíneas Argentinas Boeing 737-8LP returned to Benjamín Matienzo International Airport after experiencing an auxiliary power unit failure during cruise flight.

What happened

On August 18, 2024, at approximately 00:07 UTC, a commercial flight operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas, identified as flight AR1475, was performing a scheduled service from Benjamín Matienzo International Airport (SANT) to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (SABE). While the Boeing 737-8LP, registered as LV-FWS, was in the cruise phase of its flight, the crew experienced a failure of the auxiliary power unit (APU).

Following the malfunction, the flight crew declared an emergency. The aircraft subsequently initiated a return to its point of departure in the province of Tucumán. The flight was operating under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) at the time of the incident.

The investigation

The preliminary investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the APU during the cruise phase of the operation. The investigation examined the flight path, the sequence of the emergency declaration, and the technical status of the aircraft's power systems during the descent and landing at Benjamín Matienzo International Airport. There were no injuries reported among the crew or passengers, and the aircraft sustained no damage during the event.

Probable cause

The failure of the auxiliary power unit (APU) during the cruise phase of the flight necessitated an emergency return to the departure airport.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-08-18 BOEING B737-8LP accident near Aeropuerto Tucumán (Tucuman), AR?

An Aerolíneas Argentinas Boeing 737-8LP returned to Benjamín Matienzo International Airport after experiencing an auxiliary power unit failure during cruise flight.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-08-18 involved a BOEING B737-8LP, registration LV-FWS, operated by Aviación Comercial, at Aeropuerto Tucumán (Tucuman), AR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The failure of the auxiliary power unit (APU) during the cruise phase of the flight necessitated an emergency return to the departure airport.

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