Picture credits: Swiss
Austria: A member of the cabin crew of Swiss International Air Lines Flight 1885 passed away on December 30, 2024, due to problems resulting from smoke inhalation after a mid-flight mishap. This is the first fatality associated with an Airbus A220.
Background of the Incident
This incident took place on December 23, 2024, while on a regular trip from Bucharest to Zurich. Midway through the voyage, smoke began to penetrate the cabin and cockpit, forcing an emergency landing in Graz, Austria. The Airbus A220-300 was carrying 74 passengers and five crew members.
Upon landing, all passengers and crew evacuated the plane using emergency slides. Seventeen people, including all crew members, needed medical assistance for smoke inhalation. Among them, one flight attendant was evacuated to a Graz hospital and placed in intensive care. Despite medical attempts, the crew member died a week later from smoke inhalation.
Two more cabin crew are still in hospital as a result of the event on December 30th, one of them is in intensive care.
Investigations and Response
According to preliminary investigations, the tragedy may have been caused by a mechanical malfunction in one of the aircraft’s engines. The Austrian authorities are undertaking a forensic assessment, while Swiss International Air Lines is conducting an internal probe and cooperating with investigators.
“We are devastated at our dear colleague’s death,” says Swiss CEO Jens Fehlinger. “His loss has left us all in the deepest shock and grief. Our thoughts are with his family, whose pain we cannot imagine. I offer them my heartfelt condolences on behalf of all of us in Switzerland. And we will, of course, be doing everything in our power to help and support them at this extremely difficult time.”
Follow Aviation Today for latest news about aviation!
