Overview
On May 24th, 2024, a Fly Jinnah Airbus A320-200 (registration AP-BOV), operating flight 9P-843 from Lahore to Karachi (Pakistan), encountered pressurisation issues that affected both pilots and cabin crew during the climb. The aircraft was forced to return to Lahore, with one cabin crew member briefly losing consciousness. Pakistan’s Accident Investigation Board (AIB) classified the event as a serious incident and initiated a thorough investigation, later joined by Germany’s BFU due to involvement of a German-manufactured component.
Incident Details
Flight Information
• Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-200
• Registration: AP-BOV
• Operator: Fly Jinnah
• Flight Number: 9P-843
• Route: Lahore (LHE) to Karachi (KHI)
• Occupants: Number not disclosed
• Weather Conditions: No adverse weather reported
Sequence of Events
1. Initial Climb:
• After departure from Lahore, the crew stopped the climb at FL080 due to pressurisation issues.
• The crew reported resolving the issue and requested clearance to FL360, which was granted.
2. Dizziness at FL230:
• During the climb through FL230, both the captain and first officer began to feel dizzy, drowsy, and inactive.
• Recognising the symptoms, they donned oxygen masks and stopped the climb at FL270.
3. Cabin Crew Affected:
• One cabin crew member lost consciousness and regained it after receiving oxygen.
• Other cabin crew members reported discomfort and symptoms consistent with hypoxia.
4. Return to Lahore:
• The crew initiated a descent and returned safely to Lahore, landing approximately 45 minutes after departure.
Findings
Pressurisation System Analysis
1. Pressurisation Fault:
• Preliminary analysis indicates a fault in the aircraft’s pressurisation system, potentially linked to components responsible for maintaining cabin altitude.
• Germany’s BFU joined the investigation due to a component in the pressurisation system being designed or manufactured in Germany.
2. Symptoms Consistent with Hypoxia:
• The symptoms experienced by the pilots and cabin crew align with early hypoxia, a condition caused by insufficient oxygen levels.
• Immediate use of oxygen masks mitigated further health deterioration for the pilots.
3. Cabin Crew Member Unconsciousness:
• The cabin crew member who lost consciousness likely experienced a drop in oxygen saturation due to inadequate cabin pressurisation.
Operational Procedures
• The flight crew demonstrated professionalism by recognising symptoms and taking corrective actions, including:
• Donned oxygen masks at the first sign of dizziness.
• Stopped the climb to prevent further exposure to low oxygen levels.
• Safely returned the aircraft to Lahore.
Maintenance History
• Maintenance Logs:
• Investigation revealed that recent maintenance work on the pressurisation system had been carried out.
• The focus of the investigation includes whether the fault was due to improper maintenance or a systemic failure.
• Component Manufacturer’s Input:
• The German BFU is coordinating with the pressurisation system’s manufacturer to assess any defects or prior issues reported with similar components.
Recommendations
1. Inspection of Pressurisation Systems:
• Comprehensive inspection of the pressurisation components in AP-BOV and other A320 aircraft in the operator’s fleet.
• Collaborate with the German manufacturer to identify potential design or manufacturing flaws.
2. Crew Training and Awareness:
• Reinforce pilot training to identify and respond to early signs of hypoxia.
• Ensure cabin crew are well-versed in recognising symptoms and administering oxygen effectively.
3. Review of Maintenance Procedures:
• Evaluate the effectiveness of maintenance protocols, particularly for systems critical to cabin pressurisation.
4. Regulatory Review:
• Recommend Airbus issue a safety bulletin if the investigation identifies systemic risks related to the pressurisation system.
Conclusion
This incident underscores the critical importance of pressurisation systems in maintaining flight safety. The swift response by the flight crew prevented a potentially severe outcome. The ongoing investigation aims to identify the root cause of the pressurisation failure and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences.
Disclaimer
This report is based on the evidence available at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we apologise for any omissions or errors. For image takedowns, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.
