On 10th October 2024, an Air Canada Rouge Airbus A319-100, registration C-GBHO, encountered a hydraulic system malfunction shortly after departure from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The aircraft, operating flight RV-1534 from Toronto to Saint John, New Brunswick (YSJ), was carrying 121 people when the flight crew received a warning about a failure in the green hydraulic system. The incident was further complicated by a Power Transfer Unit (PTU) fault indication. The crew declared a PAN PAN emergency and safely returned to Toronto, landing on runway 23 approximately 45 minutes after departure.
Incident Details
• Aircraft Model: Airbus A319-100
• Registration: C-GBHO
• Flight Number: RV-1534
• Departure Airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Destination Airport: Saint John Airport (YSJ)
• Date and Time: 10th October 2024
The aircraft had been climbing through 3,600 feet when the flight crew received alerts of a failure in the green hydraulic system, one of the three independent hydraulic systems that power critical flight control surfaces and systems. To manage the situation, the crew levelled the aircraft off at 7,000 feet, worked through the appropriate checklists, and declared a PAN PAN emergency to ensure priority handling by air traffic control.
Technical Overview: Airbus A319 Hydraulic Systems
The Airbus A319 is equipped with three hydraulic systems: green, yellow, and blue. Each system is designed to operate independently, providing redundancy and ensuring that critical functions remain operational even in the event of a system failure.
1. Green Hydraulic System:
• Components Powered: The green system typically powers essential flight controls such as slats, flaps, rudder, elevators, and the landing gear.
• Source of Pressure: The green system is usually powered by an engine-driven hydraulic pump connected to the left engine.
2. Power Transfer Unit (PTU):
• The PTU is a mechanical device that transfers hydraulic power between the green and yellow systems without the exchange of hydraulic fluid. It is activated when there is a pressure differential of more than 500 psi between the systems, allowing essential functions to continue operating in the event of a failure.
• A PTU fault can indicate an issue with hydraulic pressure transfer, making it critical to address.
Sequence of Events and Crew Actions
Upon detecting the failure of the green hydraulic system and the PTU fault, the flight crew took immediate action:
1. Levelling Off: The aircraft levelled off at 7,000 feet to stabilise and allow the crew to diagnose the issue while minimising risk.
2. Emergency Declaration: The crew declared a PAN PAN emergency, a standard procedure used to communicate an urgent but non-life-threatening situation to air traffic control.
3. Checklist Execution: The flight crew worked through the Airbus A319’s checklist procedures for hydraulic system failures, assessing backup systems and preparing for a return to the departure airport.
4. Safe Return and Landing: After confirming the aircraft was controllable and that essential systems were operational, the crew returned to Toronto Pearson and executed a safe landing on runway 23.
The entire incident was managed within approximately 45 minutes, demonstrating the crew’s efficient handling of the situation and ensuring passenger safety.
Maintenance Findings and Corrective Actions
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) reported that maintenance personnel discovered a defective low-level switch in the green hydraulic system. The low-level switch is responsible for monitoring hydraulic fluid levels and triggering warnings if the fluid drops below acceptable thresholds.
• Corrective Action: The faulty switch was replaced, and subsequent serviceability tests confirmed that the hydraulic system was functioning normally.
• PTU Functionality: The PTU was also tested to ensure it operated correctly, with no further faults reported.
Understanding Hydraulic System Failures
Hydraulic systems are vital for modern aircraft, as they provide the necessary force to operate flight controls, landing gear, and other crucial systems. A failure in one of these systems can lead to degraded aircraft performance and requires prompt action by the flight crew.
Potential Causes of Hydraulic Failures:
1. Component Wear and Tear: Hydraulic components such as pumps, switches, and lines can degrade over time, especially in high-cycle operations.
2. Contamination: Hydraulic fluid contamination can cause valves and actuators to malfunction, affecting the system’s reliability.
3. Mechanical Faults: Defective parts, like the low-level switch in this case, can trigger false warnings or lead to system inoperability.
Safety Measures and Crew Training
The Airbus A319 is designed with multiple layers of redundancy to handle hydraulic system failures. Crew training for such scenarios includes:
• Simulated Hydraulic Failures: Pilots undergo regular training in flight simulators, practising responses to hydraulic malfunctions and learning to operate the aircraft using backup systems.
• Manual Reversion Techniques: In cases where multiple hydraulic systems fail, pilots are trained to use manual inputs to control the aircraft, though this is rarely needed.
The swift and decisive actions of the Air Canada Rouge flight crew underscore the importance of this training and the effectiveness of Airbus’s redundant hydraulic architecture.
Conclusion
The hydraulic failure and PTU fault experienced by Air Canada Rouge flight RV-1534 on 10th October 2024 highlight the complexities of aircraft hydraulic systems and the critical nature of crew response. The incident was resolved safely, with maintenance teams swiftly addressing the root cause and ensuring the aircraft was fit for service.
The cooperation between flight crews, air traffic control, and maintenance personnel exemplifies the robust safety culture in modern aviation.
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Disclaimer
This analysis is based on initial reports and available information from the Canadian TSB and Air Canada Rouge. Further updates may emerge as investigations continue. We strive for accuracy and apologise for any information that may be subject to clarification or change.
