Photo: Nicolas Economou / imago stock&people
Accident: Swiss BCS3 near Graz on Dec 23rd 2024, smoke on board
By Simon Hradecky, created Monday, Dec 23rd 2024 19:06Z, last updated Monday, Dec 30th 2024 23:03Z
A Swiss International Airlines Bombardier C-Series CS-300, registration HB-JCD performing flight LX-1885 from Bucharest Otopeni (Romania) to Zurich (Switzerland) with 74 passengers and 5 crew, was enroute at FL400 about 20nm eastnortheast of Graz (Austria) when the crew decided to divert to Graz reporting smoke on board. The aircraft landed on Graz's runway 34 and stopped on the runway about 19 minutes after the decision to divert. The aircraft was evacuated. A rescue helicopter positioned to the aircraft on the runway, took a flight attendant under resuscitation on board and flew him to a hospital, the flight attendant died on Dec 30th 2024. About 17 passengers and a number of crew needed medical attention, too.
The airline stated: "The cockpit crew decided to make an unscheduled landing in Graz. The aircraft is currently on the runway, the passengers have been evacuated. More information will follow." The airline subsequently added that following engine (PW1524G) trouble and smoke in cockpit and cabin they are concerned about one of their cabin crew, the other four crew also went to see doctors. Later the airline announced two additional flights were scheduled to fly to Graz, one with a care team for the passengers and crew already during the night, and another one to take the passengers to their destination the following morning. The cause of the smoke is currently under investigation. 17 passengers required medical attention.
Local Police reported one member of the crew received serious injuries and is currently in the Intensive Care Unit of a local hospital, 13 passengers received minor injuries. Both pilots and 2 cabin crew were taken to the hospital, too.
A replacement BCS3 registration HB-JCG reached Zurich the following morning with a delay of about 12.5 hours.
On Dec 26th 2024 the airline reported that two of three cabin crew are still in hospital care, one of them still in the intensive care unit. The investigation is working diligently to clarify the causes of this accident, in the focus are mechanical components like engines but also the use of the Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE).
On Dec 30th 2024 the airline reported that the seriously injured flight attendant died.
According to information The Aviation Herald received the left hand engine suffered an oil leak causing the smoke, the engine seized leading to the suspicion that the main shaft might be fractured. The engine is being replaced.
30.12.24: SWISS mourns the death of a member of the cabin crew of flight LX 1885
SWISS must announce, with the deepest of sorrow and regret, that a member of the crew of its flight LX 1885 of 23 December has died in the hospital in Graz, Austria. The flight had been operating from Bucharest to Zurich when it made an emergency diversion to Graz after engine problems occurred and smoke developed in the cockpit and the cabin. SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger and COO Oliver Buchhofer offer the family of the deceased their heartfelt condolences on behalf of the entire SWISS team.
We must report, with the deepest of sorrow and regret, that our young colleague died in the hospital in Graz on Monday 30 December. He had been a member of the cabin crew on SWISS flight LX 1885 from Bucharest to Zurich on 23 December, which had to divert to Graz en route after smoke developed in the cockpit and the cabin.
“We are devastated at our dear colleague’s death,” says SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger. “His loss has left us all in the deepest shock and grief. Our thoughts are with his family, whose pain we cannot imagine. I offer them my heartfelt condolences on behalf of all of us at SWISS. And we will, of course, be doing everything in our power to help and support them at this extremely difficult time.”
“This is the saddest of days for us all,” adds SWISS Chief Operating Officer (COO) Oliver Buchhofer. “Losing our colleague and fellow member of our SWISS team leaves me distraught and dismayed. But we stand with one another at this truly difficult time; and we will be doing our utmost, together with the relevant authorities, to determine the causes involved. We have many questions, and we want them answered. Our special thanks go to the responsible parties in Graz, particularly the local emergency services, who have given our passengers and our crew members such professional help and support.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and Swiss colleagues of the deceased crew member.
Rest in Peace.