Swiss A321 at Zurich on Jun 15th 2019, weather radar failure

Last Update: June 20, 2019 / 09:36:18 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jun 15, 2019

Classification
Incident

Airline
Swiss

Flight number
LX-2119

Departure
Malaga, Spain

Destination
Zurich, Switzerland

Aircraft Registration
HB-ION

Aircraft Type
Airbus A321

ICAO Type Designator
A321

A Swiss Airbus A321-200, registration HB-ION performing flight LX-2119 from Malaga,SP (Spain) to Zurich (Switzerland), was in a hold at FL100 waiting for thunderstorms over Zurich Aerodrome to move away, when the crew declared Mayday reporting their weather radar had just failed. A short time later the crew reported their weather radar was working again, however, they still considered to divert to Stuttgart (Germany). The crew cancelled Mayday and decided to divert to Stuttgart, climbed the aircraft to FL120 and landed safely on Stuttgart's runway 25 about 25 minutes after declaring emergency.

The aircraft remained on the ground in Stuttgart for about 2 hours, then hopped to Zurich arriving at their destination with a delay of 3 hours.

The airline reported the aircraft was hit by two lightning strikes, the weather radar failed as result. Without working weather radar it was not possible for the crew to navigate around active thunderstorm cells, the crew therefore declared Mayday. The crew reacted properly and correctly, they were basically blind without the weather radar and could not have avoided meteorologic challenges. The weather radar resumed function about 2 minutes after it failed, the crew however decided to divert to Stuttgart. The aircraft was examined in Stuttgart, was able to depart Stuttgart after about 2 hours on the ground and reached Zurich with a delay of 3 hours. The aircraft continued service the following morning after about 10 hours on the ground in Zurich.

Metars Zurich:
LSZH 152120Z 20004KT 120V260 9999 -SHRA FEW023 BKN080 14/12 Q1020 NOSIG=
LSZH 152050Z 18008KT 9999 -SHRA FEW011 SCT060 BKN080 14/13 Q1020 BECMG NSW=
LSZH 152020Z 17008KT 9000 SHRA FEW011 SCT018 BKN080 14/13 Q1020 BECMG NSW=
LSZH 151950Z 25007KT 210V280 9000 -SHRA FEW011 BKN080 14/13 Q1020 RESHRA TEMPO SHRA=
LSZH 151920Z 24012KT 6000 SHRA FEW015 SCT040 BKN080 14/13 Q1019 TEMPO NSW=
LSZH 151850Z 24012KT 5000 -SHRA VCTS FEW013 FEW030CB SCT040 BKN080 14/13 Q1019 RETSRA TEMPO SHRA=
LSZH 151820Z 26018G31KT 3000 TSRA FEW015 SCT030CB BKN040 14/13 Q1018 NOSIG=
LSZH 151750Z 29008KT 9999 VCTS FEW035CB SCT045 BKN080 19/14 Q1016 TEMPO 25020G35KT TSRA=
LSZH 151720Z 30008KT 9999 FEW040CB SCT045 BKN080 20/14 Q1015 TEMPO 25020G30KT TS=
LSZH 151650Z 30007KT 9999 FEW040TCU BKN080 21/15 Q1015 TEMPO 25015G25KT TS=
LSZH 151620Z 30006KT 9999 FEW040TCU BKN075 22/14 Q1015 TEMPO TS=
LSZH 151550Z 29008KT 9999 FEW040 BKN075 22/14 Q1015 TEMPO TS=
LSZH 151520Z 29005KT 250V340 9999 FEW040 SCT075 BKN280 23/14 Q1015 NOSIG=

Metars Stuttgart:
COR EDDS 152220Z 21006KT 150V260 9999 SHRA BKN042CB 16/14 Q1019=
EDDS 152150Z 21004KT 130V300 9999 SHRA BKN042CB 18/14 Q1019=
EDDS 152120Z 22003KT 130V270 9999 SCT042CB 19/13 Q1018=
EDDS 152050Z 28008KT 9999 FEW040CB 20/12 Q1017=
EDDS 152020Z 30007KT 9999 FEW040CB 19/13 Q1016=
EDDS 151950Z 31007KT 9999 FEW040TCU 19/13 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDS 151920Z 32005KT 9999 FEW040CB 20/13 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDS 151850Z 32005KT 9999 FEW040TCU 20/13 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDS 151820Z 35004KT 320V020 9999 FEW040 21/13 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDS 151750Z 32006KT 300V020 9999 FEW040 21/12 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDS 151720Z 32007KT 280V010 9999 FEW041 22/12 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDS 151650Z 34009KT 9999 FEW041 22/12 Q1016 NOSIG=
EDDS 151620Z 34009KT 9999 FEW044 22/13 Q1016 NOSIG=
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
HB-ION
Country of Registration
Switzerland
Date of Registration
EeqAcfkqlcfbcl Subscribe to unlock
Certification Basis
Fpfplh Subscribe to unlock
Airworthyness Category
MAdebnlfejpmeegh Subscribe to unlock
Legal Basis
Cijl Subscribe to unlock
TCDS Ident. No.
Glndcfpdnb Subscribe to unlock
Manufacturer
AIRBUS S.A.S.
Aircraft Model / Type
A321-212
ICAO Aircraft Type
A321
Year of Manufacture
KAqi Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
Cege Subscribe to unlock
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
Nbqkk Subscribe to unlock
Max. Operational Passenger Seating Capacity (MOPSC), indicative
Nfm Subscribe to unlock
Minimum Crew
E Subscribe to unlock
Maximum Take off Mass (MTOM) [kg]
Pfikk Subscribe to unlock
Engine Count
L Subscribe to unlock
Engine
BlhqAicbpq igqbqpdAilhmjnkhqAj bfj iAd Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
Hpjjjdje neelhg gjdfbkpihgkAd fgAnngjggAke flfhpejieqfjeddqnchgejlehgAq m Subscribe to unlock
Main Operator
jckkecjgbknfhpqg pbhj ehhidcnbeknceikAjbp bgedekihdckbjjApfchfekfnnqAnmp Subscribe to unlock
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jun 15, 2019

Classification
Incident

Airline
Swiss

Flight number
LX-2119

Departure
Malaga, Spain

Destination
Zurich, Switzerland

Aircraft Registration
HB-ION

Aircraft Type
Airbus A321

ICAO Type Designator
A321

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source

You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.

Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!

Subscribe now
Are you a subscriber? Login
Subscribe

Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.

Compare our plans

Send tip

Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.

Send tip

Related articles

Newest articles

Subscribe today

Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.

Pick your plan and subscribe

Partner

Blockaviation logo

A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.

ELITE Logo

ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.

Blue Altitude Logo

Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.

AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320
Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American Airlines
United
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways