Alaska B734 near San Jose on Aug 8th 2012, loss of cabin pressure, electric failure

Last Update: August 9, 2012 / 17:05:27 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 8, 2012

Classification
Incident

Cause
Loss of cabin pressure

Airline
Alaska Airlines

Flight number
AS-539

Departure
Ontario, United States

Destination
Seattle, United States

Aircraft Registration
N797AS

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-400

ICAO Type Designator
B734

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-400, registration N797AS performing flight AS-539 from Ontario,CA to Seattle,WA (USA) with 136 passengers and 5 crew, was enroute at FL280 about 170nm southeast of San Jose,CA when the aircraft experienced a loss of cabin pressure and a "catastrophic electrical failure" including the loss of transponders. The aircraft performed an emergency descent to 8000 feet and diverted to San Jose, the crew remaining in radio contact with air traffic control but remaining invisible on radar (FAA radar data and secondary radar). On approach the crew indicated they were okay and continued for a safe landing on runway 30L about 36 minutes later.

Airport fire fighters reported their initial information indicated the aircraft had experienced a catastrophic electrical failure and the loss of cabin pressure, the electrical problems turned out minor later on.

The airline confirmed the aircraft diverted to San Jose due to a serious electrical problem. The aircraft has been removed from service and will not be permitted to re-enter service before a very detailed examination has identified the cause of the electrical issue.

The airline subsequently added that a malfunction of the air/ground switch, indicating that the aircraft was on the ground although enroute, caused the loss of cabin pressure and several systems including autoflight systems to drop offline. The passenger oxygen masks did not need to deploy.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 8, 2012

Classification
Incident

Cause
Loss of cabin pressure

Airline
Alaska Airlines

Flight number
AS-539

Departure
Ontario, United States

Destination
Seattle, United States

Aircraft Registration
N797AS

Aircraft Type
Boeing 737-400

ICAO Type Designator
B734

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

You can read 1 more free article 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