Smartwings B38M near Bratislava on Jun 18th 2025, suspected fuel leak

Last Update: August 10, 2025 / 11:37:22 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jun 18, 2025

Classification
Incident

Cause
Suspected fuel leak

Airline
Smartwings

Flight number
QS-2635

Departure
Antalya, Turkey

Destination
Prague, Czech Republic

Aircraft Registration
OK-SWF

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800MAX

ICAO Type Designator
B38M

A Smartwings Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration OK-SWF performing flight QS-2635 (dep Jun 17th) from Antalya (Turkey) to Prague (Czech Republic), was enroute at FL360 about 100nm southsoutheast of Bratislava (Slovakia) in Hungarian Airspace when the crew decided to divert to Bratislava reporting they suspected a fuel leak. The aircraft landed safely on Bratislava's runway 31 about 20 minutes later.

The airline reported technical reasons for a suspected fuel leak, the aircraft landed in Bratislava at about 01:00L. Hotel capacities in Bratislava were fully booked, hence the company recommended to take the bus or train from Bratislava to Prague for fastest onward transportation, the tickets would be fully reimbursed.

Czechia's UZPLN reported that enroute the crew noticed a fuel imbalance, the right hand tank had 200kg less fuel than the left hand tank, the difference continuously increased. The crew looked up the fuel imbalance and fuel leak checklists to be prepared for a possible emergency. The crew decided to divert to Bratislava, the crew kept both engines running in the absence of abnormal indications. The aircraft landed without further incident, after landing the right hand engine was shut down. Arriving at the stand the fuel difference had become 560 kg. Maintenance found a hole under clamp of the fuel line. Checking two service bulletins by the manufacturer the clamp should have been regularly checked or replaced by a new type, however, the SBs did not include the engine's serial number, hence the operator had not applied the SBs. UZPLN is further investigating.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Jun 18, 2025

Classification
Incident

Cause
Suspected fuel leak

Airline
Smartwings

Flight number
QS-2635

Departure
Antalya, Turkey

Destination
Prague, Czech Republic

Aircraft Registration
OK-SWF

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-800MAX

ICAO Type Designator
B38M

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

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.

SafetyScan Pro

SafetyScan Pro provides streamlined access to thousands of aviation accident reports. Tailored for your safety management efforts. Book your demo today

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