Air Canada flight AC155, bound for Calgary on Saturday, July 6, 2024, experienced a dramatic turn of events when a cabin pressure issue forced the aircraft to return to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The Airbus A330-300 (Reg. C-GHLM) departed Toronto at approximately 7:26 pm EDT and climbed to its cruising altitude of 35,000 feet (FL350) en route to Calgary. However, roughly 25 minutes into the flight, an alarm within the cockpit alerted the crew to a potential cabin pressure problem.
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Taking swift action, the pilots initiated a rapid descent to a safer altitude of 10,000 feet (FL100). This maneuver is standard procedure for cabin pressure emergencies, ensuring adequate oxygen levels for passengers and crew. Following protocol, the pilots declared an emergency with air traffic control, utilizing the squawk code 7700, which signifies a potential distress situation. They then requested a priority return to Toronto for a safe landing.
The A330 maintained a holding pattern at 10,000 feet before initiating its final descent back to Toronto. The plane landed safely on runway 23 just over an hour after takeoff. News reports indicate no injuries were sustained during the incident. Air Canada has not yet released details regarding the cause of the cabin pressure issue. Maintenance crews likely inspected the aircraft upon landing to identify and rectify the problem before the plane could return to service.
Passengers onboard AC155 undoubtedly experienced a tense situation. Air Canada is obligated to provide them with details on the incident and any potential delays caused by the return to Toronto. The airline will also need to re-accommodate passengers on flights to Calgary that were impacted by the diversion.