Date: 20th November 2024
Location: Turin Airport, Italy
Aircraft: Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration 9H-VVM
Operator: Malta Air (operating for Ryanair)
Flight Number: FR-937
Route: Turin to Lamezia-Terme, Italy
Occupants: Unknown
Injuries: None reported
Summary of Events
On 20th November 2024, Malta Air flight FR-937, a Boeing 737-8 MAX operating from Turin to Lamezia-Terme, experienced a loss of communication shortly after departure. While climbing out of Turin’s runway 36, the crew stopped the climb at approximately 5,000 feet and set the transponder to indicate a communication failure. The aircraft entered a holding pattern for approximately 20 minutes before safely returning to Turin Airport for landing about 45 minutes after departure.
Following inspection and resolution of the issue, the aircraft was cleared for departure, successfully completing its flight to Lamezia-Terme with a delay of approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Aircraft Information
The Boeing 737-8 MAX is a modern, fuel-efficient variant of the 737 family, equipped with advanced avionics, including digital communication and navigation systems. The aircraft’s communication systems rely on multiple redundancies to ensure reliability.
Sequence of Events
1. Departure:
• The aircraft departed Turin’s runway 36 on schedule.
• Initial climb and flight operations appeared normal.
2. Loss of Communication:
• At approximately 5,000 feet, the crew experienced a loss of radio communication.
• Unable to communicate with air traffic control (ATC), the crew set the transponder to the standard 7600 code to indicate radio failure.
3. Holding Pattern:
• The aircraft entered a holding pattern near Turin Airport while attempting to troubleshoot the communication failure.
4. Return to Turin:
• After about 20 minutes in the hold, the crew decided to return to Turin Airport.
• The aircraft landed safely on runway 36.
5. Inspection and Resolution:
• Maintenance teams inspected the aircraft, resolving the issue before clearance for further flight.
6. Flight Resumption:
• The aircraft departed Turin again and successfully completed its flight to Lamezia-Terme.
Initial Findings
Possible Causes of Communication Failure
1. Radio System Malfunction:
• Failure of one or more components in the aircraft’s Very High-Frequency (VHF) communication system.
2. Human Error:
• Incorrect frequency selection or misconfiguration of the communication panel.
3. Electrical Anomaly:
• Temporary disruption in power to the communication systems, potentially resolved during the holding period.
4. External Interference:
• Environmental or electromagnetic interference affecting radio frequencies.
Maintenance Actions
• Inspection of VHF Communication Systems:
• Technicians examined the radio equipment, including antennas, transmitters, and receivers.
• Testing of Electrical Systems:
• Checks were conducted to identify potential electrical faults or loose connections.
• System Reboot and Diagnostics:
• A full reboot of the avionics systems was performed to clear any transient faults.
Safety Risks
1. Loss of Situational Awareness:
• Inability to communicate with ATC could delay or hinder responses to emergencies or traffic conflicts.
2. Increased Crew Workload:
• Troubleshooting the issue during critical phases of flight may distract from other operational tasks.
3. Operational Disruptions:
• Returning to the departure airport caused schedule delays and potential cascading effects for subsequent flights.
Recommendations
1. Enhanced Maintenance Checks:
• Conduct routine inspections and testing of communication systems, particularly after avionics updates or maintenance activities.
2. Crew Training:
• Reinforce training on handling communication failures, including procedures for entering holding patterns and ensuring safe navigation.
3. System Redundancy Testing:
• Regularly evaluate backup communication systems to ensure functionality under failure scenarios.
4. Data Monitoring:
• Utilize recorded flight data to analyze trends in communication issues and identify any recurring anomalies.
Safety Lessons and Industry Impact
This incident highlights the critical importance of reliable communication systems and effective crew coordination in handling unexpected scenarios. The crew’s adherence to standard operating procedures ensured a safe outcome. The rapid resolution of the issue allowed for minimal disruption to flight operations.
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