Status | |
Date | Sunday 28 April 1996 |
Time | 13:45 |
Type |
![]() 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 ![]() |
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. |