On the night of Wednesday, November 27, 2024, Avianca’s flight AV9418, scheduled to operate the Pereira-Bogotá route, was forced to evacuate due to an engine failure during takeoff. Following a potential fire alarm, the crew instructed passengers to immediately exit the aircraft.
Emergency Response and Passenger Status
In a statement from Avianca, it was confirmed that the Airbus A320 aircraft experienced a significant engine malfunction during takeoff, leading to the decision to cancel the flight and keep the plane grounded. The 164 passengers and 4 crew members were safely transferred to the terminal at Matecaña International Airport. The airline assured that support was provided to help passengers reach their destinations.
Juan Esteban Kappaz, Avianca’s Flight Operations Director and an Airbus A320 pilot, emphasized that the crew is trained for such emergencies. He acknowledged the inconvenience caused to passengers and assured that support teams were actively assisting those affected.
Official Investigation Launched
Avianca announced that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the incident:
“We will carry out a detailed investigation in collaboration with our suppliers and relevant authorities to clarify the events.”
Statement from the Civil Aviation Authority
According to a report from Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority, the airport was temporarily closed as the aircraft was unable to move on its own. Officials stressed the priority of air safety and thanked passengers and the public for their cooperation.
Vuelo 9418 de @avianca que cubría la ruta Pereira – Bogotá fue evacuado después de suspender el despegue debido a una aparente falla en uno de sus motores. Los 164 pasajeros y 4 tripulantes evacuaron sin inconvenientes y el aeropuerto Matecaña está temporalmente cerrado. pic.twitter.com/hrCjf3Lys5
— Lucas Sampedro (@lucassampedrov) November 28, 2024
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