English 
Spanish 
4 min read
0 comments
Avianca Boeing 787 with 259 on board suffers depressurization in the middle of the Atlantic, forcing an emergency landing in the Azores.
Imagine a peaceful flight that is suddenly interrupted by the activation of oxygen masks and a sudden emergency descent.
This is what happened to the 250 passengers and 9 crew members of a Boeing 787 Avianca, en route from Bogotá to Madrid.
In mid-flight over the Atlantic Ocean, the aircraft suffered a technical problem that forced the crew to make an emergency landing, leaving everyone on board on alert.
- UK time bomb: The shipwreck with 1.400 tons of explosives that has been threatening for 80 years
- The impressive Brazilian hero: a soldier who faced dozens of soldiers alone is praised by General Osório and enters the history of the Brazilian Army with honor!
- Military Defies Lula's Government: Demands Urgent Changes to Retirement Reform and Extends Transition Period
- New discovery in China reveals fossils of 16 individuals with giant skulls of 1.800 cm³: evidence of unknown human species
TOYS
The cabin depressurization occurred on Thursday, October 31, approximately 520 nautical miles south of Ponta Delgada, in the Azores archipelago, Portugal.
The incident was immediately reported to air traffic control (ATC), and the crew initiated an emergency descent towards João Paulo II airport in Ponta Delgada.
This type of maneuver is critical in depressurization situations, as the lack of oxygen at high altitudes can put everyone on board at risk.
A necessary detour and a safe landing
Flight AV-46, operated by a Boeing 787-8 with registration N785AV, left Bogotá bound for the Spanish capital, but was forced to divert due to a depressurization problem.
The crew followed all safety protocols to manage the situation and managed to make a safe landing on runway 12 at João Paulo II airport in Portugal, approximately 90 minutes after the problem began.
According to the news portal Notícias R7, the aircraft landed safely, and there were no injuries among the passengers or crew.
Avianca reported that, upon noticing the loss of pressure in the cabin, the captain and crew executed the standard protocol for activating the oxygen masks and made a rapid descent to a safe altitude.
The masks were automatically deployed, and flight attendants, trained for emergencies like this, worked to calm passengers and prepare them for the unscheduled landing.
What is depressurization and how does the crew act in these cases?
Depressurization in a aircraft occurs when internal cabin pressure is lost. This can happen due to mechanical failures, such as leaks in the fuselage or failures in the pressurization system.
When this occurs at high altitudes, the thin air can cause symptoms of hypoxia, which poses serious health risks to the aircraft's occupants.
In depressurization situations, the crew must act quickly, following a strict protocol.
The first step is to activate the oxygen masks, which provide temporary breathing air for passengers and crew.
Simultaneously, the pilot begins a rapid descent to an altitude where the atmospheric pressure is suitable for unaided breathing. These maneuvers must be executed with extreme precision to avoid serious consequences.
The psychological impact and passenger reaction
For those on board, an emergency like this can cause panic, and the psychological impact is inevitable. Passenger reports indicate that the atmosphere inside the aircraft was tense during the emergency descent, but the crew's quick action was essential to reassure everyone.
A passenger reported that the crew remained calm and instructed the occupants to wear masks, helping to minimize panic.
After landing in Ponta Delgada, Avianca provided assistance to passengers, including accommodation and food.
The following day, a special Wamos Air flight was assigned to transport them to Madrid. The airline emphasized that all passengers were in safe condition and were relocated with comfort and care to their final destination.
Avianca's Dreamliner and safety protocols
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, used by Avianca, is known for its efficiency and modernity. Designed for long distances, it has advanced safety systems that guarantee the safety of passengers even in extreme situations, such as depressurization.
The incident reinforces the importance of rigorous crew training and the safety procedures that the airline applies.
How to protect yourself and act in an emergency on board?
For passengers, it is essential to pay attention to the safety instructions given by the crew at the start of the flight.
Furthermore, it is important to remain calm and follow instructions in the event of an emergency. Using the oxygen mask correctly and following the flight attendants' instructions are essential actions in a depressurization scenario.
The outcome
Despite the scare, everyone reached their final destination safely. The crew's quick response and adherence to protocols avoided a potentially catastrophic situation.
Incidents like this highlight the importance of airlines’ preparation and experience in dealing with unforeseen events.
Are companies really prepared to guarantee the total safety of passengers in emergencies?
Be the first to react!