Event Details


Title:Pressurization failure, Boeing 737-204ADV, EI-CJG
Micro summary:This Boeing 737-204ADV experienced a pressurization failure in cruise.
Event Time:2002-10-15 at 0650 UTC
File Name:2002-10-15-UK.pdf
Publishing Agency:Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB)
Publishing Country:United Kingdom
Report number:EW/G2002/10/12
Pages:2
Diversion Airport:London Stansted Airport, Essex, England
Site of event:FL330, Birmingham
Departure:Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, Prestwick, Scotland
Destination:Paris-Beauvais-Tille Airport, Beauvais, France
Airplane Type(s):Boeing 737-204ADV
Flight Phase:Cruise
Registration(s):EI-CJG
Operator(s):Ryanair
Type of flight:Revenue
Occupants:127
Fatalities:0
Serious Injuries:0
Minor/Non-Injured:127
Other Injuries:0
Diverted to:London Stansted Airport, Essex, England
Executive Summary:The aircraft was on a flight from Prestwick to Beauvais and was level at FL330 in the vicinity of Birmingham when the pressurisation warning horn sounded. The crew observed that the cabin altitude had exceeded 10,000 feet and was continuing to climb at about 400 ft/min. They hoped to be able to control the cabin altitude manually but as a precaution, they asked ATC for clearance to descend, initially to FL250. They then donned their oxygen masks and carried out the checklist procedure. Whilst executing the procedure, it became apparent that the cabin pressure control valve was in the closed position, although the cabin altitude was continuing to climb. Unable to control the cabin altitude, the crew then commenced an emergency descent notifying ATC. ATC then cleared them to FL100 and maintained their separation from other aircraft during the descent

Although the cabin pressure exceeded 10,000 feet, throughout the incident it remained below 14,000 feet: the altitude at which the passenger masks automatically deploy. However, on being called to the flight deck to be briefed on the situation, the senior cabin crew member manually deployed the passenger oxygen masks. This was done in accordance with company standard procedures; whenever they see the pilots wearing their oxygen masks during a decompression, the cabin crew had been trained to deploy the cabin masks manually if they had not deployed automatically.

During the emergency descent the commander noticed the cabin pressure, now being manually controlled, was descending rapidly at about 2,000 feet per minute and ordered the First Officer to reselect the pressure control to automatic. Having done so the cabin pressure continued to descend but at a more normal rate of between 500 and 700 ft/min. When the aircraft was level at 10,000 feet the crew requested a diversion to Stansted where they carried out an uneventful landing. The emergency services were in attendance, however the only reported problem was with one lady passenger who felt nauseous. After being examined by paramedics she was able to continue her journey that day, along with the other passengers, on another aircraft.
Learning Keywords:Operations - Maintenance
Systems - Pressurization
Close match:Nicotine-induced pressurization failure, McDonnell Douglas MD-82, HB-INW
Pressurization failure, Boeing 737-436, G-DOCE
Explosive decompression on climb, Report on the accident to BAC One-Eleven, G-BJRT over Didcot, Oxfordshire on 10 June 1990
Pressurization failure, Sunjet Aviation, Learjet Model 35, N47BA, Aberdeen, South Dakota, October 25, 1999
Tailcone loss in climb, Air Canada, McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 (CF-TLU), East Of Boston, Massachusetts, September 17, 1979
Failure of nose gear actuator and loss of pressurization, McDonnell Douglas MD-88, May 13, 2005

 




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