Swiss 777 returns to service after Azores diversion, odour cause unresolved
A Swiss Boeing 777 that diverted to Terceira over an unexplained sharp smell has resumed flights, though the airline says inspections found no cause.
Boeing 777 (all variants)Airbus A330 (all variants)
A Swiss International Air Lines Boeing 777-300ER is back in scheduled service after diverting to the Azores last week over reports of a pungent odour in the cabin.
The aircraft, registered HB-JNF, was operating flight LX9 from Chicago to Zurich on August 25 with 222 passengers and 16 crew when the smell was detected in the economy cabin. The crew declared an emergency and landed at Lajes airport on the island of Terceira as a precaution.
Swiss flew the affected passengers onward on a replacement aircraft and sent a technical team to Terceira to examine the jet. According to the airline, the team inspected the cabin section where the smell was reported, along with nearby lavatories, the in-flight entertainment system, a door area, the cargo hold and the air conditioning system.
A company spokesperson said all inspections and tests came back clear, with no fault identified. The aircraft was cleared to fly and was ferried back to Zurich on August 26. It returned to commercial service the next day, operating flight LX40 to Los Angeles.
The case follows a separate Swiss incident in July, when an Airbus A330 made an unscheduled landing in Bangor, Maine, after smoke was reported in business class. The airline said its technical team traced that cause to a damaged headphone charging box.
No injuries were reported in either event.
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Sources
- aerotelegraph.comBoeing 777 von Swiss ist zurück im Liniendienst - doch der stechende Geruch bleibt rätselhaft