Summary
- A LAM Mozambique Boeing 737 was forced to return to Maputo due to cabin depressurization, causing oxygen masks to deploy.
- Passengers shared images and videos of the incident, but only one person reported feeling unwell.
- The cause of the depressurization is currently unknown, but the crew followed procedures to ensure a safe landing.
A LAM Mozambique Boeing 737 aircraft operating a scheduled flight between Maputo International Airport (MPM) Johannesburg OR Tambo International (JNB) was forced to return to the Mozambican capital after a cabin depressurization incident.
Flight TM301 to Johannesburg
The single-aisle jet was operating flight TM301 from Maputo to Johannesburg on November 10. It departed MPM at 07:00 and was scheduled to arrive at JNB around 08:05 local time. However, about 35 minutes into the flight, the aircraft turned back, left South African airspace, and returned to its operational base. It landed at MPM around 08:08.
Images and videos shared by passengers show the oxygen masks deployed in the cabin during the flight. Upon landing, one passenger was taken to the hospital after falling sick. However, no other injuries were reported onboard. According to Lusa, Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) said in a statement,
“In this specific case, the crew made the decision to return to Maputo, the company’s operational base. The flight landed safely at Maputo International Airport.”
“The depressurization and consequent automatic release of masks occurs in adverse flight situations for which the crews are trained and prepared to provide immediate responses.”
Other passengers remained at the Maputo Airport before resuming their journey on another aircraft. The airline also issued an apology to all customers for the inconvenience caused. LAM Mozambique operates up to 20 weekly flights from MPM to JNB, including four on Fridays. Meanwhile, the airline is planning to resume intercontinental flights to Lisbon on December 12.
The aircraft in question
The aircraft involved in the incident is a 19-year-old Boeing 737-700, registration C9-BAR. It was previously operated by Aloha Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Lucky Air, Trans Air Congo, and Ibex Air Charter before joining LAM’s fleet in April 2019 through a lease agreement with Aergo Capital. The same aircraft was involved in a runway excursion in February 2021 at Quelimane Airport (UEL) while operating LAM flight TM1134.
Photo: maurodopereira | Shutterstock
C9-BAR remains on the ground following the depressurization incident. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft has not operated any scheduled flights since November 10. This month, C9-BAR had operated 54 flights for the national carrier, flying to several domestic and regional destinations, including Nampula (APL), Pemba (POL), Beira (BEW), Dar es Salaam (DAR), and Johannesburg.
According to ch-aviation’s fleet module, C9-BAR is the only 737NG and the biggest aircraft in LAM’s fleet. The airline has not stated when the aircraft is expected to resume service. The rest of LAM’s fleet comprises one CRJ900LR, three DHC-8-Q400s, and two Embraer 145s operated by its subsidiary, Mocambique Expresso (MEX).
Causes of depressurization
The cause of the sudden depressurization on flight TM301 remains unknown. However, it can result from structural failure, damaging impact to the fuselage, malfunctioning of the pressurization systems, or inadvertent crew action. It is a potentially severe emergency, especially when an aircraft is flying at higher altitudes.
Photo: chrisontour84 | Shutterstock
It is not an entirely rare occurrence on military and civilian aircraft. In the case of flight TM301, the pilots followed the necessary steps to get the aircraft on the ground safely without harming most of the passengers and crew. However, in the past, decompression incidents have been catastrophic, like in the case of Aloha Flight 243 and Helios Airways Flight 522.
What are your thoughts on this story? Have you ever been involved in a similar incident? Please let us know in the comments!
Sources: Flightradar24, ch-aviation, Lusa, Guyzelh Ramos on TikTok