Swiss A220 Emergency Landing in Graz: One Dead, 19 Injured Due to Engine Failure
A Swiss A220-300 aircraft made an emergency landing in Graz on December 23, 2024, following an engine failure that caused a fatal incident. The investigation into the cause of the engine failure is ongoing, with early indications suggesting a defect on the engine shaft that occurred in August 2023.
The engine failure resulted in dense smoke filling the cockpit and cabin, leading to the death of a flight attendant and the hospitalization of 17 passengers and two crew members. The smoke was caused by oil released due to the engine defect dripping onto hot metal. This is the first known case of a broken engine shaft in the PW1000 engine series, which has had previous issues. The investigation will determine if there's a fundamental problem with the PW1000 engines. Meanwhile, many A220 and A320neo/A321neo aircraft are grounded due to a high-pressure turbine disk issue, costing Pratt & Whitney around $7 billion and MTU around $1 billion.
The Swiss A220 accident's investigation is underway to identify the cause of the engine failure and its impact on the PW1000 engine series. The incident resulted in one fatality and several injuries, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing any potential safety issues. The grounding of many aircraft due to similar issues underscores the need for swift action to ensure air safety.
