A Swiss Airlines Airbus A330 experienced irregularities with its pressurisation systems about 30 minutes after taking off from Zurich Airport. The plane was bound for New York's Newark Airport.
By: Haotian
Published on: 14 September 2024, 9.12am (GMT +8)
The aircraft was at an altitude of around 25,000 feet when it descended to 10,000 feet. Photo: Star Alliance
A Swiss Airlines Airbus A330-300, registered HB-JHI and operating flight SWR18P (LX18) from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR/KEWR), turned back less than 30 minutes after takeoff, due to a cabin pressure issue. The flight was carrying 205 passengers.
The flight had taken off from Zurich Airport at about 6.05pm local time. According to Flightradar24, at about 6.25pm, while the plane was still climbing to its cruising altitude, it experienced an "irregularity with cabin pressure", according to Swiss Airlines.
The pilots immediately commenced a descent to 10,000 feet from its initial altitude of 25,000 feet within 5 minutes and squawked 7700, declaring an emergency. At the same time when the pilots were descending, oxygen masks were deployed for the passengers as part of their safety procedures.
The pilots executed several holding patterns over the mountainous regions of Zurich, possibly to dump fuel for a safe landing. Due to the aircraft being fully fuelled, it was extremely heavy, which resulted in the brakes being very hot. As a precautionary measure, fire services were deployed. The flight landed safely back in Zurich at 7.14pm local time, just slightly over an hour after it departed.
Comments