Virgin Australia F100 enroute on Dec 27th 2021, cabin and flight crew unwell in flight, possibly hypoxia

Last Update: April 13, 2022 / 14:26:56 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 27, 2021

Classification
Accident

Flight number
VA-1896

Destination
Perth, Australia

Aircraft Registration
VH-FNU

Aircraft Type
Fokker 100

ICAO Type Designator
F100

A Virgin Australia Fokker 100, registration VH-FNU performing flight VA-1896 from Newman,WA to Perth,WA (Australia) with 7 passengers and 5 crew, was enroute at FL340 when a flight attendant began to feel unwell and was treated with portable oxygen. The flgiht crew climbed the aircraft to FL350. A few minutes later the other two flight attendants also felt unwell and told the flight crew they suspected hypoxia. The first officer also felt light headed and experienced slight nausea. The flight crew donned their oxygen masks as precaution, performed an emergency descent to FL100 and continued to Perth for a safe landing. The incapacitated flgiht attendant was taken to a hospital.

The aircraft remained on the ground for 3 days and 16 hours.

The ATSB opened an investigation expected to conclude in Q3/2022 into the occurrence.

On Apr 13th 2022 the ATSB reported they aborted the investigation. The ATSB reasoned:

- The normal cabin altitude for the Fokker F100 at FL350 is 8,000 ft.

- The flight crew recalled that the cabin altitude reached about 8,300 ft.

- The excessive cabin altitude warning (which activates at 10,000 ft) did not activate during the flight.

- The drop-down cabin oxygen masks automatically deploy at a cabin altitude of 13,500 ft on the Fokker F100 aircraft. The masks did not automatically deploy and were manually deployed by the flight crew.

Inspections and tests were conducted in accordance with the aircraft maintenance manual and in consultation with the aircraft manufacturer. Although there were defects identified, none were considered contributory to a depressurisation event or to the symptoms and subsequent incapacitation reported by the crew members. Several components were changed as a precaution.

The available evidence indicates that the aircraft’s cabin altitude remained below 10,000 ft. The reasons for the cabin crew and flight crew symptoms could not be established.

The decision by the flight crew to don oxygen masks and descend to a safe altitude was sound. If there is any doubt as to whether the flight crew’s ability to operate the aircraft may be affected by a possible oxygen supply problem, the safest course of action is to go onto oxygen as soon as possible.
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
VH-FNU
Country of Registration
Australia
Date of Registration
Abnndlndjgejek Subscribe to unlock
Airworthyness Category
NjicpAjknchkcfgicb Subscribe to unlock
TCDS Ident. No.
Manufacturer
FOKKER AIRCRAFT B.V.
Aircraft Model / Type
F28 MK 0100
ICAO Aircraft Type
F100
Year of Manufacture
Serial Number
Maximum Take off Mass (MTOM) [kg]
Engine Count
Engine
FlAjpA kn mbpkqAieqjbefgqgnbpdmqnmk Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
AqfAllnbenf njdfffAAnbmblclphpeepjcfhbfAgcqmcl qlbqeqfdlbAmbAifAAccgjkcegigcjmhkcqhn fgppgqnfjfgmmd Subscribe to unlock
Main Operator
kAp hieppdlngAcppgAllejpjbbbihflfilcjdjndcngAblccb fmelpdpj fbphbcqcefiAgldnnAqmehgmpnlekepid llAm Subscribe to unlock
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Dec 27, 2021

Classification
Accident

Flight number
VA-1896

Destination
Perth, Australia

Aircraft Registration
VH-FNU

Aircraft Type
Fokker 100

ICAO Type Designator
F100

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!

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.

Send tip

Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.

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