Looking back on Sichuan Airlines Flight 8633

SICHUAN AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-243 B-6545 (MSN 1291)

Sichuan Airlines Flight 8633, en route from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG/ZUCK) to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (LXA/ZULS) was compelled to make an emergency landing at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU/ZUUU) due to a cockpit windshield failure. The aircraft, an Airbus A319-100, became the subject of the 2019 film "The Captain" and was featured in the "Mayday" documentary series.

On the 14th of May 2018, Flight 8633 departed from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 6:25 CST. Roughly 40 minutes into the flight, while above Xiaojin County, Sichuan at an altitude of 9 km (30,000 ft; 9,000 m), the right front section of the windshield detached, leading to an uncontrolled decompression. This event damaged the flight control unit and the loud noise from outside made verbal communication very challenging. Nevertheless, the co-pilot managed to squawk 7700 on the transponder, signaling their distress to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport's control tower. Due to the mountainous terrain, the pilots could not descend to the recommended 8,000 ft (2,400 m) to alleviate the cabin pressure loss.

Approximately 35 minutes after the incident, the aircraft safely landed at 7:42 CST (23:42 UTC) at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, albeit overweight. This caused a longer stopping distance than normal which resulted in the tyres bursting.

First officer Xu, despite being buckled in, was partially ejected from the aircraft. He sustained facial injuries, a slight eye injury, and a sprained wrist. Flight attendant Zhou Yanwen also incurred a wrist injury and was treated. Thanks to the Airbus A319's insulation design, the passengers' compartment did not experience an immediate temperature drop, despite the cockpit being open to the external environment, which prevented frostbite among the passengers. 

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Sichuan Airlines

Code: 3U / CSC

Aircraft: Airbus A319-133

Registration: B-6419

Serial Number: 4660

Engines: 2 x IAE V2524-A5

First Flew: 11th July 2011

Age: 12.10 Years