History of the Flight
On 22 August 2015, an Airbus 330-200 aircraft, registered PK-GPO, operated by PT. Garuda Indonesia as flight GIA 717, was on a scheduled passenger flight from Tullamarine International Airport, Melbourne, Australia to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia. The aircraft carried two pilots, 11 flight attendants, and 187 passengers.
During preflight preparation at Melbourne, flight attendants conducted routine briefings and loaded standard meals and beverages, including ice cream packed with dry ice, into the middle (Business Class) galley.
The aircraft departed Melbourne at 0400 UTC. After the flight attendants had served lunch, one flight attendant placed pieces of dry ice inside an empty mineral water bottle and loaded it into the refrigerator unit in the middle galley.
At approximately 0700 UTC, about three minutes after the dry ice was inserted, the refrigeration unit door burst open. The door struck the face of a flight attendant who was standing in the galley, causing her to fall to the floor with a bleeding face while remaining conscious. The injured flight attendant was assisted by a passenger and another flight attendant and seated in a passenger seat.
At the time of the incident, the aircraft was near IFR waypoint DEENO, under Brisbane Air Traffic Control airspace.
After the door burst, items such as champagne bottles, juice, and milk scattered on the floor. One flight attendant pulled the circuit breaker for the refrigeration unit to prevent any electrical short circuit.
At 0705 UTC, the flight attendants reported the occurrence to the pilots. The Pilot in Command (PIC) noted that the failure was not related to security issues.
An announcement was made to find medical assistance among the passengers. An internist doctor and a paramedic responded and treated the injured flight attendant. The doctor advised the PIC that the injured flight attendant's condition was stable, bleeding had stopped, and it was safe to continue to Jakarta.
The aircraft landed safely at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The injured flight attendant was transferred to the airport health facility and later to a hospital. She was the only person injured.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A330-200, registration PK-GPO. The refrigeration unit in the middle galley was equipped with a safety relief valve.
Damage to the Refrigeration Unit
The refrigeration unit door separated from its hinges and was deformed. Bulging was observed on the unit.
Medical and Pathological Information
The injured flight attendant sustained injuries from the door impact. The doctor assessed the condition as stable.
Organizational and Management Information
PT. Garuda Indonesia issued safety actions following the occurrence. The Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi (KNKT) considered these actions relevant and did not issue further safety recommendations to the airline. One safety recommendation was addressed to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).