TAP Air Portugal A320neo Returns to Lisbon After In-Flight Cabin Pressure Loss

Lisbon, Portugal – On July 7th, 2024, a TAP Air Portugal Airbus A320-200N, registration CS-TVB, was forced to return to Lisbon after experiencing a sudden loss of cabin pressure while enroute to Copenhagen, Denmark. The aircraft, operating as flight TP-752, had been cruising at 34,000 feet approximately 70 nautical miles west of Bilbao, Spain, when the incident occurred.

Incident Overview

The flight crew initiated an emergency descent, rapidly bringing the aircraft down to a safer altitude of 10,000 feet, as per standard procedures for cabin pressure loss. During the descent, the aircraft achieved an average rate of descent of about 4,800 feet per minute. As the cabin pressure dropped, passenger oxygen masks automatically deployed to provide passengers with breathable air.

Once the aircraft stabilized at a lower altitude, the decision was made to return to Lisbon. The A320neo landed safely back at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes after its initial departure.

Recurrent Issue and Passenger Safety

Notably, this incident marked the second time in just over a week that the same aircraft, CS-TVB, experienced a cabin pressure issue. A similar event occurred on June 30th, 2024, during a flight near Porto, Portugal. Given the recurrence of this issue, the airline and relevant aviation authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the aircraft’s pressurization system.

The airline has reported that the return to Lisbon was due to technical issues, though the specific cause of the repeated cabin pressure losses has yet to be determined. The priority remains the safety of passengers and crew, and no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Investigation and Follow-Up

TAP Air Portugal, in coordination with aviation safety regulators, will likely carry out a detailed inspection and investigation of the aircraft’s systems to identify the root cause of the pressurization failures. This will include examining the maintenance history, any potential recurring faults, and the effectiveness of previous repairs following the first incident on June 30th.

Given the safety-critical nature of cabin pressurization, the investigation’s findings will be crucial in ensuring that such incidents do not recur. The outcome may lead to revised maintenance procedures, additional checks, or even design changes if a systemic issue is identified.

Conclusion

The safe return of TAP Air Portugal flight TP-752 to Lisbon after a loss of cabin pressure highlights the importance of robust emergency procedures and the effectiveness of the flight crew’s response. The repeated nature of this issue with the same aircraft underscores the need for a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences.

As the investigation progresses, TAP Air Portugal and the broader aviation community will be keen to understand and address the factors that led to these incidents, ensuring the continued safety and reliability of air travel.