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| Date: | Thursday 31 October 2024 |
| Time: | 19:55 UTC |
| Type: |  Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner |
| Owner/operator: | Avianca |
| Registration: | N785AV |
| MSN: | 37507/347 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2015 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Location: | S of Azores -
 Atlantic Ocean
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Bogotá-Eldorado Airport (BOG/SKBO) |
| Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD/LEMD) | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
Avianca flight AV46, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route over the Atlantic Ocean when a loss of cabin pressure occurred. The aircraft made an emergency descent from FL420 to FL100 and diverted to Ponta Delgada-Nordela Airport, Azores (PDL).
Flight-data recorder information showed both cabin air compressors stopped operating, due to overload, after the failure of one of the two left-hand variable-frequency starter generators.
The depressurization event occurred during the third flight after major maintenance work was performed between October 2 and 27, 2024, where extensive work was performed on both Packs, specifically on the Recirculation Fans. This work resulted in a misassembled recirculation duct, allowing a gap to occur which consequently resulted in a significant leak.
The maintenance personnel involved stated that the RH PACK work area is difficult to access and there is little space available for handling components and tools. The operator declared that it is working on the identified safety issues within the MRO service provider.
The failed generator has been sent to its manufacturer for analysis.
Sources:
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n785av#37ca4d26
https://twitter.com/AviaAnalitica/status/1852308302723428353
https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/avianca-787-depressurisation-probe-finds-air-con-system-misassembled-during-mro/161282.article?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=Sendible&utm_campaign=RSS
https://www.gpiaa.gov.pt/upload/membro.id/ficheiros/i007427.pdf
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 7 July 2024 | N785AV | Avianca | 0 | W of Madrid |  |
min |
| Windscreen cracks or failure | ||||||
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 01-Nov-2024 13:29 | ASN | Added |
| 06-Jan-2025 12:33 | Aerossurance | Updated [Source, Narrative, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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