Swiss plane crew member dies after emergency landing over smoke in cockpit and cabin

GENEVA – A Swiss International Air Lines crew member who was hospitalised after a plane he was on was forced to make an emergency landing has died, the flag carrier said on Dec 30.

The Airbus A220-300 jet was flying from Bucharest in Romania to Zurich in Switzerland on Dec 23 when it had to land in Graz, Austria, after there were engine problems, and

smoke filled the cockpit and cabin.

The Swiss plane, with 74 passengers and five crew aboard, landed safely.

“We must report, with the deepest of sorrow and regret, that our young colleague died in the hospital in Graz on Monday,” Swiss said in a statement.

Swiss chief executive Jens Fehlinger said the loss had left the airline in shock and grief.

“We are devastated at our dear colleague’s death,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with his family, whose pain we cannot imagine. I offer them my heartfelt condolences on behalf of all of us at Swiss. And we will, of course, be doing everything in our power to help and support them at this extremely difficult time.”

Swiss said in a statement that “out of respect for the loved ones, we will not provide detailed information about our employee or the cause of death”.

After the plane made an emergency landing, one cabin crew member was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Graz and taken into intensive care.

Another cabin crew member was also taken to hospital.

All passengers were evacuated and 12 received medical attention. On Dec 30, Swiss said that all passengers who were admitted to hospital had since been able to leave.

Swiss chief operating officer Oliver Buchhofer thanked the local emergency services in Graz who had helped passengers and crew.

“This is the saddest of days for us all,” he said. “Losing our colleague and fellow member of our Swiss team leaves me distraught and dismayed.”

He said Swiss would work “with the relevant authorities, to determine the causes involved”.

Swiss said the focus of its investigation was on the mechanical parts of the aircraft, such as the engine, but also on the use of protective breathing equipment for the cabin crew. AFP