What happened
On September 7, 2022, a scheduled commercial flight operated by Copa Airlines, involving a Boeing 737-800 with registration HP-1835, experienced a technical malfunction during transit. While en route from Tocumen International Airport in Panama to Arturo Benítez International Airport in Chile, the aircraft encountered a failure within the flap system. Simultaneously, the intended destination airport was experiencing unfavorable meteorological conditions.
Due to the combination of the mechanical issue and the weather at the destination, the crew elected to divert the flight to El Plumerillo International Airport in Mendoza, Argentina. The aircraft landed safely at the diversion airport with no injuries reported among the 147 passengers or the crew.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) reviewed the circumstances surrounding the event. The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the aircraft components and the decision-making process regarding the diversion. Authorities examined the flight logs and the technical status of the aircraft's flaps following the occurrence at El Plumerillo International Airport.