Qantas flight reviewed after depressurisation

Qantas flight reviewed after depressurisation

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has begun an investigation into a Qantas cargo flight which dropped 20,000ft while flying over Narrandera in New South Wales on Wednesday.

As this was a freight service there were no passengers onboard the Boeing 737 aircraft.

According to the ATSB, the flight’s “air depressurisation” will be investigated, which resulted in a reduction of cabin pressure.

A statement from the ATSB on the review said:

The ATSB is investigating an air depressurisation and crew incapacitation involving a B737, VH-XMO, near Narrandera NSW, 15 August 2018.

During the cruise, the crew of the cargo flight received a wing body overheat warning resulting in a reduction of cabin pressure.

The crew donned oxygen and descended to 20,000 ft. The First Officer was subsequently incapacitated and the Captain descended to 8,000 ft and diverted the aircraft to Canberra.

As part of the investigation, the ATSB will collect and examine information on the aircraft’s flight data recorders and interview maintenance and flight crew.

A final report will be released at the end of the investigation.

Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify those affected and seek safety action to address the issue.

Commenting on the incident, a Qantas spokesperson said: “The Boeing 737 freighter diverted into Canberra on Wednesday night following a fault with the onboard air conditioning system that affected the ability to maintain pressure in the cabin.

“The aircraft landed normally in Canberra and the pilots went to hospital as a precaution.

“We are conducting an investigation into the incident.”

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]