You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Monday 23 December 2024 |
| Time: | 16:33 UTC |
| Type: |  Airbus A220-300 |
| Owner/operator: | Swiss International Air Lines |
| Registration: | HB-JCD |
| MSN: | 55013 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2017 |
| Engine model: | P&W 1500G |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 79 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Minor |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | NE of Graz -
 Austria
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Bucharest-Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP/LROP) |
| Zürich-Kloten Airport (ZRH/LSZH) | |
| Investigating agency: | UUS Austria |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
Swiss International Air Lines flight LX1885, an Airbus A220-300, suffered an engine failure and smoke event during cruise flight. After an emergency diversion to Graz Airport, Austria, two cabin crew members were rushed to the hospital due to smoke inhalation; one of them died on December 30.
The aircraft operated on a flight from Bucharest (OTP) to Zürich (ZRH).
At 16:32, shortly after entering Austrian airspace at FL400, the cockpit crew detected initial signs of an engine abnormality, as indicated by an EICAS advisory message: L ENGINE FAULT and an INFO message: 79 L ENGINE FAULT - OIL DEBRIS ABOVE LIMIT.
A minute later, a master caution was triggered with an EICAS message: ENG VIBRATION; close to this caution; the cabin crew recalled hearing a loud bang in the passenger cabin.
Subsequently, another master caution appeared on the EICAS, indicating L ENG OPER DEGRADED. At 16:34, the cockpit crew detected smoke and immediately donned their oxygen masks.
This was followed by a master warning on the EICAS with the alert LAV SMOKE, accompanied by an aural warning (“smoke” repeated four times). This was shortly followed by a new master warning: L ENG OIL PRESS. In response to these developments, the captain declared a MAYDAY to ATC, reporting smoke in the cockpit and the initiation of a
descent.
At 16:35, the captain instructed the cabin crew: “Cabin crew at stations, cabin crew at stations” to prepare for a possible emergency landing. Thereafter, he notified ATC of the decision to divert to Graz immediately. As the situation developed, at 16:37, the cockpit crew shut down the left engine according to abnormal procedures.
Efforts to coordinate with the cabin followed, with the captain attempting to establish two-way communication at 16:39 using the cabin communication system. Shortly after, the co-pilot informed ATC of the lavatory smoke indication and confirmed that the left engine had been shut down.
At 16:40, the captain addressed the passengers via the PA system. The aircraft made initial radio contact with Graz Radar at 16:41:21. The approach phase commenced, and at 16:47, approach clearance for ILS RWY 34C was received. Subsequently, ATC issued landing clearance for RWY 34C.
The aircraft touched down on RWY 34C at 16:53 and came to a complete stop on the runway.
After consulting the Purser regarding the situation in the cabin, it was decided to shut down the right engine.
The captain then initiated an emergency evacuation via the PA system at 16:55:18. All passengers and crew evacuated using four emergency exits.
It was reported that one flight attendant collapsed shortly after putting on their Personal Breathing Equipment (smoke hood). He was moved to the intensive care unit after landing and died on December 30. Another cabin crew member also required hospitalization for multiple days.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://boardingpass.ro/un-zbor-swiss-dintre-bucuresti-si-zurich-a-aterizat-de-urgenta-la-graz-austria/
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/lx1885#387527f5
https://www.5min.at/5202412231926/passagiere-evakuiert-swiss-flug-landet-ausserplanmaessig-in-graz/
https://www.20min.ch/story/bukarest-zuerich-swiss-flug-muss-in-graz-landen-taskforce-eingerichtet-103245746
https://steiermark.orf.at/stories/3286622/
https://www.bmk.gv.at/dam/jcr:1c411654-b5ed-4c3a-adcd-cb246f160a0f/241223_AirbusA220-300_Graz_Written_Preliminary_Report_EN.pdf
https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2025/01/06/swiss-flight-attendant-died-from-lack-of-oxygen-during-flight-that-made-emergency-landing-when-smoke-filled-the-cabin/
https://x.com/LX_Newsroom/status/1873824522320982206
https://steiermark.orf.at/stories/3286919/
https://swiss.newsmarket.com/English/press-releases/landing-of-lx1885-in-graz/s/df0219aa-2fc4-43b0-89f3-7c27fac1dfcd
Media:
Evakuierung von Swiss-Flug in Graz wegen Rauch: 10 Passagiere in ärztlicher Behandlung, grosse Sorge um Crewmitglied. https://t.co/rzOqwUrl4P
— 20 Minuten (@20min) December 23, 2024
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 23-Dec-2024 20:09 | ASN | Added |
| 23-Dec-2024 20:17 | ASN | Updated [Source, Damage, Narrative, ] |
| 23-Dec-2024 20:18 | ASN | Updated [Embed code, ] |
| 24-Dec-2024 07:22 | Anon. | Updated [Source, Embed code, ] |
| 29-Dec-2024 11:08 | stefan | Updated [Narrative, ] |
| 29-Dec-2024 11:11 | ASN | Updated [Total occupants, Source, Narrative, ] |
| 30-Dec-2024 21:05 | SignorPignolini | Updated [Total fatalities, Source, Narrative, ] |
| 31-Dec-2024 08:06 | Anon. | Updated [Source, ] |
| 06-Jan-2025 13:25 | ASN | Updated [Source, Narrative, ] |
| 17-Mar-2025 13:49 | Anon. | Updated [Source, ] |
| 17-Mar-2025 13:50 | ASN | Updated [Damage, Accident report, ] |
| 17-Mar-2025 13:51 | ASN | Updated |
| 17-Mar-2025 17:50 | ASN | Updated [Narrative, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation