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Status Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date Sunday 28 April 1996
Time 13:45
Type Silhouette image of generic A320 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Airbus A320-212
Operator Airtours International Airways
Registration G-DACR
MSN 349
Year of manufature 1992
Engines CFMI CFM56-5A3
Crew Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Passengers Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Total occupants Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 187
Aircraft damage Minor, repaired
Aircraft fate rep
Location East of Chateaudun VOR   France
Phase En route
Nature Passenger - Scheduled
Departure Airport Birmingham Airport (BHX/EGBB)
Destination Airport Malaga-Costa Del Sol Airport (AGP/LEMG)
Narrative The aircraft was operating a flight from Birmingham to Malaga. Whilst in cruise flight in clear smooth air at Flight Level (FL) 330, Mach 0.78, the Commander's windscreen cracked, with multiple cracks around three sides. At about the same time, the ECAM amber warning 'ANTI-ICE L WINDSHIELD' appeared. The cabin pressurization system remained normal throughout. The commander could not be certain which layers of laminate were cracked so he initiated a PAN call to ATC, advised them of the problem and requested a slow descent to FL100, which was carried out.
The aircraft had sufficient fuel onboard to enable a diversion to London Gatwick Airport, where the aircraft landed uneventfully at 1441 hrs. The weather conditions remained good throughout with no icing conditions encountered.

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Revision History

Date/time Contributor Updates
23-Mar-2025 19:43 Justanormalperson Added
23-Mar-2025 19:43 ASN Updated [Narrative, Accident report]
23-Mar-2025 19:44 ASN Updated [Narrative]

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