Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 21 November 2012
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-230 Advanced
Owner/operator: Sky Airline
Registration Number: CC-CTH
Location: over province of Mendoza – ÿ Argentina
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 93
Component Affected: Slats on both wingsSlats on both wings
Investigating Agency: JIAACJIAAC
Category: Accident
At 105 NM from the VOR San Rafael in the province of Mendoza, the aircraft experienced moderate turbulence, escalating to increased turbulence. The crew initiated a reroute to the SE and a climb to FL 350, based on weather radar and visual observation. Subsequent level changes resulted in descent until landing at SAEZ PA, approximately 20 minutes from its final destination. Upon landing, a series of damage was detected, including damage to the slats on both wings, cockpit, paint and coatings detachment, and delamination. This occurred during the cruise phase in storm conditions with convective cloud development and heavy precipitation. The incident was caused by inadequate radar analysis in stormy conditions and pre-existing aircraft maintenance issues.At 105 NM from the VOR San Rafael in the province of Mendoza, the aircraft experienced moderate turbulence, escalating to increased turbulence. The crew initiated a reroute to the SE and a climb to FL 350, based on weather radar and visual observation. Subsequent level changes resulted in descent until landing at SAEZ PA, approximately 20 minutes from its final destination. Upon landing, a series of damage was detected, including damage to the slats on both wings, cockpit, paint and coatings detachment, and delamination. This occurred during the cruise phase in storm conditions with convective cloud development and heavy precipitation. The incident was caused by inadequate radar analysis in stormy conditions and pre-existing aircraft maintenance issues.

Description

At 105 NM from the VOR San Rafael (SRA) in the province of Mendoza, the aircraft began to experience moderate turbulence, which then increased. Given this situation, the crew requested a reroute to the SE and a climb to flight level (FL) 350, based on information from the aircraft’s weather radar and direct visual observation of the weather conditions. As the turbulence did not diminish in intensity, successive level changes to lower altitudes were required. The aircraft descended progressively until it reached flight level 150 when it was approximately 20 minutes from its final destination, the SAEZ PA. The arrival was made in visual meteorological conditions. After landing, during the post-flight visual external control inspection, a series of damage was detected. The accident occurred in the cruise phase and in instrument meteorological conditions. Conclusions of the analysis In an international commercial aviation flight, after crossing the Andes mountain range, in the cruise phase, with flight level 330, at 105 NM leaving the VOR SRA approximately, the aircraft entered a storm zone that produced breakage in the radar radome, water leakage in the cockpit, paint and coatings detachment, delamination in the slats of both wings. cockpit, paint and coatings peeling, delamination of slats on both wings. This was due to a combination of the following factors: Flight into stormy areas with high convective cloud development resulting in thunderstorms and heavy precipitation, hail precipitation and strong to severe turbulence. Inadequate analysis of on-board radar information, which did not allow him to avoid and/or continue the flight in stormy areas. Pre-existing conditions Poor aircraft maintenance.

Primary Cause

Inadequate radar analysis in stormy conditions and pre-existing aircraft maintenance issues.Inadequate radar analysis in stormy conditions and pre-existing aircraft maintenance issues.

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