Overview
• Operator: Air Arabia Maroc
• Aircraft Model: Airbus A320-200
• Registration: CN-NMJ
• Flight Number: 3O-301
• Route: Fes (FEZ) → Bordeaux (BOD)
• Date: 4 March 2025
• Passengers & Crew: Unspecified
• Injuries: None
• Aircraft Status: Grounded for over 28 hours
Incident Summary
During the approach to Bordeaux the crew reported a failure of the green hydraulic system, which controls key aircraft functions such as landing gear operation, nose wheel steering, and normal braking.
The flight entered a holding pattern to troubleshoot the issue and prepare for an alternate landing gear extension. After completing the procedure, the aircraft landed safely on runway 05 about 30 minutes later.
The aircraft remained grounded in Bordeaux for over 28 hours following the incident.
Impact on Operations
• Passengers for the return flight (3O-302) were stranded due to the aircraft being unserviceable.
• A replacement aircraft (CN-NMH) was dispatched from Brussels to Bordeaux to pick up the passengers.
• Delays of about 2 hours were recorded for both flights 3O-118 (Brussels to Fes) and 3O-302 (Bordeaux to Fes).
Technical Analysis: Hydraulic System Failure
The Airbus A320 has three independent hydraulic systems (Green, Blue, and Yellow), with the Green system being the primary system for landing gear operation.
Effects of Green Hydraulic System Failure:
• Landing Gear Deployment: Required manual gravity extension.
• Nose Wheel Steering: Unavailable, meaning ground handling required external assistance.
• Normal Braking: The aircraft relied on alternate braking using the Yellow hydraulic system.
• Flaps & Slats: Function remained available via the other hydraulic circuits.
The failure necessitated additional holding time for checklists and preparation for the landing.
Possible Causes of Hydraulic Failure
• Hydraulic fluid leak (common in Green system failures).
• Pump failure or mechanical fault.
• Contaminated fluid or system blockage.
• Overheating or excessive pressure in the system.
A full engineering inspection will determine the exact cause.
Safety Measures & Crew Actions
✅ Holding to complete checklists and alternate gear extension preparation.
✅ Manual landing gear deployment ensured safe touchdown.
✅ Landing without nose wheel steering required additional coordination with ground services.
The crew followed Airbus emergency procedures correctly, preventing further complications.
Conclusion & Next Steps
This hydraulic failure was managed effectively by the flight crew, ensuring a safe landing.
• Aircraft remains grounded in Bordeaux for repairs.
• Replacement aircraft minimized passenger disruption with a 2-hour delay.
• Investigation will focus on the cause of the Green hydraulic system failure and potential maintenance issues.
Disclaimer
“This report is based on publicly available information as of 5 March 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the details. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced materials and wish them removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.”
