On June 9, 2024, an Austrian Airlines (AUA) aircraft en route from Palma de Mallorca to Vienna encountered severe turbulence caused by a sudden thunderstorm. The Airbus A320, registration OE-LBM, operating the flight landed safely at Vienna International Airport despite severe damage. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
However, the damage to the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the incident raise increasing questions, which are currently being examined in a comprehensive investigation. The investigation focuses on the pilots involved in the flight, possible deficiencies in training, and, in particular, the data from the aircraft's so-called black boxes.
The incident: A flight into the storm cell
The incident occurred when the Airbus A320 entered a thunderstorm. The aircraft was on the final leg of its return flight from Mallorca and was just minutes away from Vienna. While experiencing severe turbulence and hail, an emergency call with the word "Mayday" was sent out. Despite the difficult conditions, the aircraft landed safely at Vienna Airport, but the damage to the aircraft was extensive. The nose of the aircraft was largely destroyed, the cockpit windows were shattered, and both the wings and tail assembly suffered severe damage. A shocking incident that caused a stir in both the media and the aviation industry.
Safety authorities and experts quickly determined that the storm was known and documented by the Austrian air traffic control agency Austro Control. This raised questions about whether the pilots may have underestimated the situation or failed to respond adequately to the danger. However, Austrian Airlines itself pointed out in its statement that the storm had not been visible to the pilots on the weather radar. The airline requested an external investigation by the Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB) to clarify the exact circumstances of the incident.
Investigations and securing of black boxes
The ongoing investigation is now casting a further shadow over the case. According to reports published last week, the Lower Austrian State Criminal Police Office, acting on the orders of the Korneuburg Public Prosecutor's Office, has seized the flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of the Austrian Airlines aircraft. These devices, popularly known as black boxes, play a central role in the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents. The flight data recorder records important technical data such as speed, altitude, and direction of flight, while the cockpit voice recorder records all conversations and sounds in the cockpit.
According to agency spokeswoman Gudrun Bischof, this measure is intended to clarify possible criminal offenses by the pilots involved and other Austrian Airlines employees. Austrian Airlines itself filed an objection to the seizure of the data, which is why the Korneuburg Regional Court must now decide which information from the black boxes may be used for further investigations. The case is complex and remains under intensive investigation.
Suspicion of negligence and investigations against AUA employees
In addition to the investigation of the black box data, the allegation of negligent endangerment of the public is also being examined. The focus here is particularly on whether the pilots made incorrect decisions in a dangerous situation. Another focus of the investigation concerns the pilots' training, particularly with regard to the operation of weather radar systems. According to an expert, a pilot reportedly noted that the pilots may not have been adequately trained in the functionality of the weather radar. Austrian Airlines itself has rejected these allegations, emphasizing that the pilots' training went beyond legal requirements and was free of deficiencies. Nevertheless, other Austrian Airlines employees are also being investigated in this context.
The public prosecutor's office is continuing to investigate whether there are any weaknesses in Austrian Airlines' training practices that could have led to the incident. Another relevant aspect is the suspicion that the airline may have failed to implement a necessary training measure that helps pilots better assess weather conditions and their hazards.
The role of the Security Investigation Board and the question of abuse of office
In parallel with the investigations against Austrian Airlines (AUA) and its employees, there are also allegations against the Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB). A lawyer has filed a complaint against the head of the SUB, Bettina Bogner, and three AUA security officers for suspected abuse of office. This allegedly occurred in connection with the seizure and analysis of the black box data. The allegation is that there may have been a possible abuse of official power to suppress or misrepresent relevant information.
However, the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that no investigations have been initiated against the SUB director at this time. However, it is examining whether there is any initial suspicion that would justify an investigation. Therefore, it currently remains unclear whether the allegations against the SUB and AUA are valid.
The black box data and its significance for the investigation
The analysis of the black box data is crucial for clarifying the causes of the incident. The flight data recorder was easily read, providing valuable information for the investigation. However, there were difficulties in analyzing the cockpit voice recorder, whose recordings initially only provided the last 30 minutes of the flight. The rest of the recording could only be read later using special technology. According to the SUB report, the complete CVR was successfully read by the French investigation authority BEA on August 27, 2024, providing important information for clarifying the incident.
The results of these evaluations are crucial for reconstructing the exact sequence of events and identifying possible errors or omissions on the part of the pilots or the airline. The investigation is expected to take some time, as the complex technical and human factors must be thoroughly examined.
The incident involving Austrian Airlines Flight OS434 remains a controversial topic in the aviation industry and will continue to be intensively examined both by the ongoing investigation and by questions regarding pilot training and the handling of weather conditions. The recovery of the black boxes represents an important step in clarifying the incident, and the comprehensive analysis of this data will help determine the exact causes of the incident.
It remains to be seen whether AUA will be held responsible for possible deficiencies in the training or conduct of the pilots, or whether the suspicion of misconduct within the ranks of the safety investigation authority can be confirmed.
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