Boeing 747 cargo jet declares Mayday after water‑induced electrical failures en route to Hong Kong
A Boeing 747‑433 freighter departing London Heathrow for Hong Kong experienced water and ice entering its environmental system, which caused electrical failures that disabled pitot‑tube heating and led to loss of accurate airspeed data. The crew issued a PAN alert and then a Mayday as the autopilot kept the nose pointed down, producing a descent rate of 6,240 ft per minute. After exiting the icing conditions the correct airspeed was restored, the autopilot pitched up and the aircraft landed without injury. An investigation by the AAIB is under way and recommendations have been issued.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 4h later
Why it matters
The incident shows how environmental system failures can affect critical flight‑control data, putting passengers and crew at risk.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Boeing 747 nose-dives over North Sea after ice-induced electrical failure
- Sep 4 The AAIB has issued recommendations following the incident.
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