An Airbus A220-300 operated by Swiss Airlines was forced to make an emergency landing at Graz Airport on Monday evening, due to issues with its engine and reported smoke within the cabin and cockpit. The flight, carrying 74 passengers and five crew members, was en route from Bucharest to Zurich when the situation escalated.
Passengers and crew members experienced moments of panic as the plane descended. Fortunately, the crew managed to land the aircraft safely, and all individuals on board were successfully evacuated. Swiss Airlines confirmed, 'The aircraft is safe. All passengers were evacuated,' ensuring the safety of all aboard.
Following the incident, twelve passengers and all five members of the crew sought medical attention. Among them, one cabin crew member required urgent care and was transported to the hospital by helicopter, due to the unclear nature of their health condition. The spokesperson for Swiss Airlines acknowledged concerns about the situation, stating, 'We are following the condition of the cabin crew member with concern.'
The emergency landing sparked immediate interventions from medical personnel at Graz Airport, where those needing treatment were accommodated by the airport's crisis intervention team. On Tuesday morning, Swiss provided updates about the health status of the individuals affected, noting, 'A cabin crew member was transported to the hospital by helicopter and is currently on the intensive care unit.' Initial reports indicated overall stability among the passengers, with many able to leave the hospital shortly after receiving treatment.
The incident also closed Graz Airport for several hours, halting other flights and causing logistical challenges. With limited flight activity scheduled for the evening, only the stricken flight was affected. Transport arrangements were swiftly initiated, with some passengers provided overnight accommodations and later flown back to Zurich during the following day.
Despite the chaos, the airline reported, 'We are aware of many questions about this incident and are working closely with the relevant authorities.' Both the crew and passengers were supported throughout the night with assistance and psychological care provided by Swiss's team.
With the aircraft safely on the ground and evicted from the runway, operations resumed at Graz airport, restoring normal flow. The Swiss Airlines A220, bearing the registration HB-JCD, was reported by officials to have experienced rapid descent troubles, dropping as fast as 26 meters per second, compared to the more typical descent rate of about 9 meters per second.
The steep descent—from its cruising altitude of over 12,000 meters to Graz—took less than 20 minutes, raising flags for potential investigatory procedures concerning the incident. A preliminary assessment revealed the aircraft halted approximately 1,300 meters down the runway after its emergency landing.
While investigations are underway to understand the full scope of the mechanical failure, the immediate focus remains on the health and safety of those onboard, with Swiss Airlines reiteratively stressing their commitment to both investigative and supportive endeavors. The company stated, 'We put the highest priority on passenger and crew wellbeing and are fully concentrated on providing the necessary support.' Their dedicated team continues to monitor the condition of individual crew members, especially focusing on the well-being of the one currently under intensive care.
Looking forward, Swiss Airlines is ensuring all necessary steps are taken to prevent any recurrences and is dedicated to collaborating with aviation authorities both to resolve this issue and to bolster airline safety protocols. Their commitment to high-standard passenger care during air travel remains pivotal as they navigate the aftermath of this alarming situation, emphasizing their dedication to safety as they work diligently toward reestablishing full operational capacity.
