Summary
- Air Canada flight AC990 experienced a lack of cabin pressure on account of a PACS problem while departing from Mexico City, resulting in an emergency descent to a lower altitude.
- The aircraft declared a mayday and diverted to Houston, where it landed safely with none injuries to passengers or crew.
- The Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration C-GMEX) involved within the incident had previously done two rotations to Mexico City and underwent maintenance before resuming regular service.
On October thirteenth, an Air Canada service between Mexico City and Toronto experienced a lack of cabin pressure as they departed the Mexican capital when the crew reported that the aircraft was experiencing a PACS problem (Pressurization and Air Conditioning).
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration C-GMEX) would have two PACS fitted; nonetheless, if one is to fail, the aircraft should operate at a lower altitude to make sure that if the second fails, the aircraft is at a lower distance to secure altitude and find a way to land safely.
Initially having a departure time of 12:20, AC990 eventually departed from Mexico City International Airport (also often known as Benito Juárez International Airport), MEX, at 12:45. It was expected to reach at Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ by 19:00. Nevertheless, with the diversion, the flight landed into Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport IAH at 17:33. The aircraft, was capable of land without incident. No injuries for passengers or crew were sustained. The PACK Air Conditioning system was also replaced as per the aircraft maintenance manual.
As per data from Flightradar24, the aircraft remained in Houston until October sixteenth, when it appears operated a ferry flight operated between Houston and Windsor, Ontario, as AC2338, leaving at 11:11 and touching down at 14:50. It seems the aircraft remained in Windsor until October 18th, where it was then ferried again to Vancouver as AC2337, and resumed regular service that following evening as AC124 departing from Vancouver 19:16, and touching down back to Toronto Pearson at 02:05 the next morning.
Photo: Air Canada
C-GMEX
The Boeing aircraft at the middle of the drama took its first test flight on August 18th, 2021, and was delivered to Air Canada on September twenty second, later that yr. With the registration C-GMEX and serial number 61243, it’s configured with 16 business class seats and 153 in economy.
Photo: Ryken Martin | Shutterstock
Powered by two CFMI Leap 1B engines, the 737-8 MAX, leading as much as the incident had already done two rotations to Mexico City, with this being the third before drama ensued.
Sources: Flightradar24, AvHerald, Airfleets