Date: December 27th, 2024
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Registration: HP-1521CMP
Operator: COPA Airlines
Flight Number: CM-386
Route: Tegucigalpa, Honduras (TGU) to Panama City, Panama (PTY)
Occupants: Not disclosed
Injuries: None reported
Damage: None reported
Status: Resolved in-flight; routine investigation underway
Incident Summary
On December 27th, 2024, COPA Airlines flight CM-386, operating from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to Panama City, Panama, experienced a loss of cabin pressure while cruising at FL330 approximately 110 nautical miles north of Managua, Nicaragua. The flight crew executed an emergency descent to FL100 and diverted to Managua’s Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA), where the aircraft landed safely on runway 10 approximately 40 minutes after the event.
Sequence of Events
1. Cruise Phase:
• The Boeing 737-700 was cruising at an altitude of 33,000 feet (FL330) when pressurization issues were detected.
2. Emergency Response:
• The crew declared an emergency and performed an emergency descent to 10,000 feet to ensure safe breathing conditions for passengers and crew.
3. Diversion to Managua:
• After stabilizing at FL100, the aircraft diverted to Managua for a precautionary landing.
4. Safe Landing:
• The aircraft landed without further incident on runway 10 at Managua’s airport.
5. Replacement Aircraft:
• A replacement Boeing 737-9 MAX, registration HP-9919CMP, was dispatched to complete the flight to Panama City, arriving with a delay of approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Initial Observations
1. Cabin Pressure Issue:
• The reported loss of cabin pressure was handled efficiently, ensuring passenger safety.
2. Crew Actions:
• The crew’s swift decision to initiate an emergency descent and divert to Managua demonstrated adherence to standard emergency protocols.
3. Aircraft Status:
• The affected aircraft remained on the ground in Managua for approximately 10 hours before repositioning to Panama City for further inspection.
Safety Analysis
1. Pressurization System:
• Loss of cabin pressure can occur due to issues with the aircraft’s environmental control systems, door seals, or structural components. Further investigation will determine the root cause.
2. Emergency Descent:
• The descent to FL100 is a standard procedure during pressurization issues, allowing for safe cabin conditions without supplemental oxygen.
3. Passenger Safety:
• No injuries were reported, indicating that oxygen masks, if deployed, functioned as designed, and the crew effectively managed the situation.
Recommendations
1. Technical Inspection:
• Conduct a thorough inspection of the pressurization system, including valves, seals, and structural integrity, to identify and rectify the cause of the depressurization.
2. Crew Debriefing:
• Review the incident with the flight crew to evaluate the effectiveness of emergency procedures and identify potential improvements.
3. Passenger Communication:
• Ensure clear communication with passengers during emergencies to maintain calm and provide timely updates.
Conclusion
COPA Airlines flight CM-386 experienced a pressurization anomaly that necessitated an emergency descent and diversion. The crew’s prompt actions ensured the safety of all occupants, and the situation was resolved without further complications. A detailed investigation is underway to determine the cause of the pressurization issue and prevent future occurrences.
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