Flight Details
Aircraft Type: Airbus A319-112 Operator: Air Côte d’Ivoire Registration: TU-TSZ Flight Number: HF9030 Route: O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), Johannesburg, South Africa to N’Djili International Airport (FIH), Kinshasa, DR Congo Date of Incident: 23 April 2025 Total Occupants: Not specified; typical A319 capacity up to 124 passengers and crew Weather Conditions: Enroute climb in clear air; no convective activity reported
Introduction
On 23 April 2025, an Airbus A319 operated by Air Côte d’Ivoire was forced to make an emergency descent after suffering a loss of cabin pressurisation due to failure of both bleed air systems. The aircraft had departed Johannesburg on a delayed flight to Kinshasa and was climbing through FL310 when the crew detected a cabin pressurisation failure. The flight crew initiated an emergency descent to FL100 and returned to Johannesburg, landing safely on runway 21R approximately 45 minutes after departure.
No injuries were reported, and the aircraft remains grounded at Johannesburg over 17 hours after the incident.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft had been originally scheduled to operate flight HF903 from Johannesburg to Kinshasa, continuing onward to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 22 April. However, due to a technical malfunction, the flight was delayed by approximately 18 hours and refiled as HF9030 on 23 April.
During the climb segment out of Johannesburg, as the aircraft passed FL310, cockpit instruments began to indicate a loss of cabin pressurisation, accompanied by alerts from the Environmental Control System (ECS). The flight crew initiated immediate steps in accordance with Airbus procedures, including:
Donning oxygen masks Declaring an emergency Initiating a controlled emergency descent to FL100 Coordinating with Johannesburg ATC for a return to the departure airport
The aircraft landed safely on Johannesburg’s runway 21R. Emergency services were on standby but not required to intervene. Passengers were safely disembarked, and the flight was subsequently cancelled.
Crew & Communication
The flight crew executed standard Airbus emergency protocols, following the Cabin Pressure Loss checklist, which includes:
Immediate descent to a safe altitude Pressurisation system cross-check Bleed and pack valve configuration assessment Use of alternate bleed sources (if any) Communication with cabin crew and air traffic control Declaration of an emergency (Mayday or PAN PAN)
The crew’s decision to return rather than proceed to Kinshasa was correct given the dual bleed air system failure and inability to maintain cabin pressure at cruise altitudes.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The Airbus A319 cabin pressurisation relies on engine bleed air supplied through:
Two independent bleed air systems (one per engine) Air conditioning packs (PACK 1 and PACK 2) Pressure regulating valves and overpressure sensors Cabin pressure controller (CPC) and safety outflow valve
A dual bleed failure, as reported, implies loss of both engines’ bleed air output, which could be due to:
Bleed air valve failure (PRV stuck closed) Bleed leak detection and system auto-shutdown HP or LP valve logic errors in the FADEC or BMCs (Bleed Monitoring Computers) Contamination, sensor fault, or pneumatic duct blockage
Once both bleed air systems are lost, the packs cannot provide conditioned air, and cabin pressure will begin to decay rapidly, prompting the descent.
The root cause may be:
A shared fault in the air supply ducting Incorrect reconfiguration after prior maintenance Residual failure from the original 18-hour delay cause, suggesting the issue may have been pre-existing but not adequately resolved
The aircraft has remained grounded in Johannesburg, with line maintenance crews likely conducting:
Full bleed system diagnostic Replacement or inspection of bleed valves, pressure sensors, and pack controllers Review of prior MEL (Minimum Equipment List) deferrals related to ECS Examination of any prior logbook entries referencing pack or duct pressure discrepancies
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
While no loss of oxygen occurred at cruising altitude, passengers would have experienced:
Sudden deployment of cabin oxygen masks Rapid descent, possibly with ear discomfort or panic Emergency announcements from the cockpit and cabin crew
Cabin crew would have monitored passengers’ use of oxygen masks and ensured all were secure for the descent. There were no reports of injuries or decompression trauma, indicating a slow to moderate pressurisation loss rather than an explosive decompression.
Once the aircraft reached FL100, the oxygen masks were stowed, and the cabin remained safe for return.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
Airport fire and rescue services were on standby as per standard emergency procedure for a declared pressurisation fault. No thermal, mechanical, or fuel-related secondary risks were identified.
Upon landing, passengers were disembarked normally. Given the ongoing fault, the return sector to Kinshasa and any further continuation to Abidjan were cancelled.
Investigation Status
While no national investigation has been publicly announced, Air Côte d’Ivoire maintenance management, supported by Airbus Technical Services, will oversee:
System diagnostic downloads (post-flight BITE checks) Review of prior reported ECS defects or deferred maintenance items Engineering root cause analysis to confirm failure mode
If the issue involved prior deferral or recurrence, local civil aviation authorities may review procedural compliance related to aircraft release after extended technical delays.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
Primary Cause (Preliminary):
Failure of both bleed air systems, resulting in cabin depressurisation
Contributing Factors:
Possible residual or unresolved fault from delayed departure Potential valve malfunction or pressure sensor misread triggering BMC shutdown logic Limited bleed air redundancy when both engines’ systems are affected simultaneously
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
Pending root cause confirmation, recommendations may include:
Increased scrutiny of dual bleed air faults, particularly when involving prior delay Review of maintenance release protocols following long delays caused by pressurisation or air system issues Enhanced post-maintenance operational tests of bleed/pack function under high altitude simulation
This event reinforces the criticality of early detection and resolution of ECS discrepancies, particularly in single-aisle aircraft with limited redundancy.
Conclusion
Air Côte d’Ivoire flight HF9030 experienced a significant operational emergency with loss of both bleed air systems at cruising altitude, resulting in an emergency descent and return to Johannesburg. The crew’s decisive action ensured a safe outcome for all on board. Investigation into the root cause is ongoing, with focus on system integrity, prior deferred faults, and potential bleed valve failure.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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