Engine failure and smoke ingestion on Swiss Airbus A220-300 near…

Engine failure and smoke ingestion on Swiss Airbus A220-300 near Graz

Casualties unknown • 50 NM östlich von Graz (LOWG), auf Flugfläche 400, CH

An Airbus A220-300 operating for Swiss International Air Lines experienced a left engine failure and smoke ingress during flight near Graz, resulting in an emergency landing.

What happened

On December 23, 2024, at approximately 16:32 UTC, an Airbus A220-300, registration HB-JCD, was conducting a commercial flight under instrument flight rules from Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport to Zurich. While cruising at flight level 400, roughly 50 nautical miles east of Graz, the aircraft's number one engine experienced a failure. Following the engine malfunction, smoke entered the cabin. The crew initiated an emergency diversion to Graz Airport (LOWG), where the aircraft landed safely. Following the landing, an emergency evacuation of the aircraft was carried out on the runway.

The investigation

The investigation into the incident was assumed by the SUST at the request of the Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB). The inquiry focuses on the circumstances leading to the failure of the left engine and the subsequent smoke entering the passenger cabin. The investigation examines the technical state of the engine and the sequence of events that necessitated the emergency evacuation.

Findings

The left engine sustained heavy damage during the event.
The incident resulted in one fatality and one serious injury among the crew members.
All 74 passengers remained uninjured during the diversion and evacuation.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the incident was the failure of the number one engine, which led to smoke entering the aircraft cabin.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-12-23 C SERIES AIRCRAFT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP BD-500-1A11 accident near 50 NM östlich von Graz (LOWG), auf Flugfläche 400, CH?

An Airbus A220-300 operating for Swiss International Air Lines experienced a left engine failure and smoke ingress during flight near Graz, resulting in an emergency landing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-12-23 involved a C SERIES AIRCRAFT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP BD-500-1A11, registration HB-JCD, at 50 NM östlich von Graz (LOWG), auf Flugfläche 400, CH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the incident was the failure of the number one engine, which led to smoke entering the aircraft cabin.

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