Swiss Air Crew Member Dies Following Austrian Emergency Landing
A tragic outcome has followed the emergency landing of a SWISS International Air lines flight in Austria on December 23, 2024. A member of the cabin crew, who suffered injuries during the incident, has passed away, the airline announced Monday.
“SWISS mourns the loss of a member of the cabin crew, who died in hospital in Graz, austria,” the airline stated in a press release. “Out of respect for the loved ones, we will not provide detailed data about our employee or the cause of his death,” it added.
The statement echoes the sentiment expressed in a tweet from the airline’s official account:
With great sadness, we must share that we have lost a dear colleague following the emergency landing of LX1885 on 23 December 2024. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and loved ones of our colleague during this arduous time. More: https://t.co/KaNlEtZZIj pic.twitter.com/X5SrBs5Mtq
— Swiss intl Air Lines (@FlySWISS) December 30, 2024
Flight LX1885, an Airbus A220-300 carrying 74 passengers from Bucharest to Zurich, experienced engine problems and smoke in both the cabin and cockpit, prompting the crew to execute an emergency landing in Graz. Following the landing, one cabin crew member was critically injured and airlifted to a Graz hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries. Another crew member and 12 passengers also received medical attention.
“We will do everything possible, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, to determine the causes of the accident. We have many questions and we want them to be answered,” SWISS, a Lufthansa subsidiary, stated in its release. The investigation will reportedly focus on the aircraft’s mechanical components, including the engine, and the effectiveness of the cabin crew’s protective breathing equipment.
This incident underscores the inherent risks faced by airline crews and highlights the importance of thorough investigations into aviation accidents to ensure passenger and crew safety. The aviation community awaits the results of the investigation with bated breath.
