Details of the Incident
On December 23, 2024, a SWISS Airbus A220-300, operating flight LX1885 from Bucharest to Zurich, was forced to make an emergency landing at Graz Airport in Austria. Approximately one hour into the flight, smoke and fumes were detected in both the cockpit and cabin, prompting the crew to take immediate action. According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft, registered as HB-JCD, descended from an altitude of 40,000 feet to the runway in less than 20 minutes, demonstrating the urgency of the situation.
All 74 passengers and five crew members on board were evacuated using emergency slides once the plane safely touched down. The airport was temporarily closed to facilitate the emergency response.
Medical Response and Passenger Care
Following the evacuation, one cabin crew member, who had lost consciousness due to the smoke, was airlifted to a local hospital. This quick response highlighted the severe impact of the incident on the crew. The other crew members received medical attention along with 12 passengers at local medical facilities. The seriousness of the situation was further underscored by reports from local media indicating that CPR was administered to the unconscious crew member before the arrival of emergency services.
The airline issued a statement confirming the incident and detailing their immediate response, emphasizing the health and safety of the passengers and crew. They reassured the public and stakeholders by stating, ‘The plane landed safely. All passengers were evacuated. We are following with concern the condition of a flight crew member who was transported by helicopter to the hospital in Graz. His condition is currently unclear.’
Impact on Flight Schedule and Further Actions
SWISS International Air Lines swiftly reacted by canceling all forthcoming flights for the affected aircraft, including services scheduled for December 23 and 24. The passengers of flight LX1885, stranded in Graz due to the incident, were accommodated on a special flight scheduled for 09:45 on December 25, ensuring their eventual safe arrival in Zurich.
Historical Context of Similar Incidents
The Airbus A220 has experienced several similar incidents throughout 2024. Notably, a Delta Air Lines A220-300 had to return to Minneapolis after the cabin filled with smoke, and an Air Tanzania A220-300 encountered thick smoke in the cabin due to an engine fault while climbing out of Dar es Salaam. These incidents have raised concerns regarding the A220’s susceptibility to smoke-related issues, often caused by engine oil or hydraulic fluid leaks into the air conditioning system. When these fluids reach a high temperature, they can emit harmful compounds such as acrolein and polar compounds, leading to potential respiratory issues and other health risks.
The incident involving the SWISS A220 will be thoroughly investigated by aviation safety experts to determine the definitive cause and to develop strategies to prevent future occurrences.