How Swiss Repaired A Boeing 777-300ER In Arctic Conditions
Apr 27, 2017
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- NextPrev1 of 8Grounded in Iqaluit, Canada, after the failure of the No. 1 engine, a General Electric GE90-115, a Swiss Boeing 777-300ER diverted to the alternate airport on Feb. 1 en route from Zurich to Los Angeles. Passengers and crew were picked up by a Swiss Airbus A330-300 (background).Photo:
Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International Air Lines built up a fleet of eight Boeing 777-300ERs in 2016 to operate its densest long-haul routes. While the introduction has generally been smooth, Flight LX40 on Feb. 1, 2017, turned out to be a true test for crisis management. The aircraft was en route from Zurich to Los Angeles when one of the engines automatically shut down. Not knowing the root cause, the crew decided to divert to the nearest airport—in Iqaluit on Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada—triggering an immense logistical effort to fly out passengers and crew in a replacement aircraft and repair the 777 on-site in harsh conditions.
Read more about this operation disruption: Swiss 777 Repair In Iqaluit Shows Plans Are Important, But So Is Luck
