A TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 737-700, registration D2-TBG performing flight DT-579 from Luanda (Angola) to Cape Town (South Africa) with 93 passengers and 6 crew, was enroute at FL370 abut 350nm north of Windhoek (Namibia) when the crew initiated an emergency descent to FL100 due to the loss of cabin pressure. The aircraft diverted to Windhoek for a landing about 75 minutes later. One flight crew, one cabin crew and 5 passengers received minor injuries.
The aircraft remained on the ground in Windhoek until Dec 23rd 2024, positioned to Luanda and resumed service on Jan 7th 2025.
On Apr 3rd 2025 Namibia's Ministry of Works and Transport released their preliminary report stating:
The flight progressed normally until cruising at Flight Level 370 (FL370), when the cabin altitude warning alert illuminated, and the warning horns activated, indicating that the cabin altitude had exceeded 10,000 feet. The flight crew immediately followed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to attempt to control the cabin altitude. Despite their efforts, the cabin altitude continued to rise uncontrollably, eventually reaching 15,000 feet.
Recognizing the situation as a pressurization failure, the flight crew declared an emergency and initiated an emergency descent to FL100 after receiving clearance from Windhoek Control. During the descent, oxygen masks were deployed, and passengers and crew donned oxygen masks as per emergency procedures, however, only 46% of the masks deployed.
Given the cabin pressurization issue, the flight crew elected to divert to the alternate airport, Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport (FYWH). The aircraft landed safely at FYWH at 11: 15 UTC, (Local time 13: 15)where emergency services were on standby.
Post-flight inspections revealed that the Right Environmental Control System (ECS) Pack had been inoperative for the entire flight, leaving the Left ECS Pack as the sole source of cabin pressurization.
Further preliminary investigations indicated that the Left ECS Pack experienced a failure during cruise, resulting in the cabin pressurization loss.
On Feb 13th 2026 Germany's BFU released their December 2024 (!) Bulletin and reported, they are supporting the investigation by Namibia's Authorities having been asked to read out CVR and FDR.
The aircraft remained on the ground in Windhoek until Dec 23rd 2024, positioned to Luanda and resumed service on Jan 7th 2025.
On Apr 3rd 2025 Namibia's Ministry of Works and Transport released their preliminary report stating:
The flight progressed normally until cruising at Flight Level 370 (FL370), when the cabin altitude warning alert illuminated, and the warning horns activated, indicating that the cabin altitude had exceeded 10,000 feet. The flight crew immediately followed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to attempt to control the cabin altitude. Despite their efforts, the cabin altitude continued to rise uncontrollably, eventually reaching 15,000 feet.
Recognizing the situation as a pressurization failure, the flight crew declared an emergency and initiated an emergency descent to FL100 after receiving clearance from Windhoek Control. During the descent, oxygen masks were deployed, and passengers and crew donned oxygen masks as per emergency procedures, however, only 46% of the masks deployed.
Given the cabin pressurization issue, the flight crew elected to divert to the alternate airport, Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport (FYWH). The aircraft landed safely at FYWH at 11: 15 UTC, (Local time 13: 15)where emergency services were on standby.
Post-flight inspections revealed that the Right Environmental Control System (ECS) Pack had been inoperative for the entire flight, leaving the Left ECS Pack as the sole source of cabin pressurization.
Further preliminary investigations indicated that the Left ECS Pack experienced a failure during cruise, resulting in the cabin pressurization loss.
On Feb 13th 2026 Germany's BFU released their December 2024 (!) Bulletin and reported, they are supporting the investigation by Namibia's Authorities having been asked to read out CVR and FDR.
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