A Swiss International Airlines Bombardier C-Series CS-300, registration HB-JCD performing flight LX-1885 from Bucharest Otopeni (Romania) to Zurich (Switzerland) with 74 passengers and 5 crew, was enroute at FL400 about 20nm eastnortheast of Graz (Austria) when the crew decided to divert to Graz reporting smoke on board. The aircraft landed on Graz's runway 34 and stopped on the runway about 19 minutes after the decision to divert. The aircraft was evacuated. A rescue helicopter positioned to the aircraft on the runway, took a flight attendant under resuscitation on board and flew him to a hospital, the flight attendant died on Dec 30th 2024. About 17 passengers and a number of crew needed medical attention, too.
The airline stated: "The cockpit crew decided to make an unscheduled landing in Graz. The aircraft is currently on the runway, the passengers have been evacuated. More information will follow." The airline subsequently added that following engine (PW1524G) trouble and smoke in cockpit and cabin they are concerned about one of their cabin crew, the other four crew also went to see doctors. Later the airline announced two additional flights were scheduled to fly to Graz, one with a care team for the passengers and crew already during the night, and another one to take the passengers to their destination the following morning. The cause of the smoke is currently under investigation. 17 passengers required medical attention.
Local Police reported one member of the crew received serious injuries and is currently in the Intensive Care Unit of a local hospital, 13 passengers received minor injuries. Both pilots and 2 cabin crew were taken to the hospital, too.
A replacement BCS3 registration HB-JCG reached Zurich the following morning with a delay of about 12.5 hours.
On Dec 26th 2024 the airline reported that two of three cabin crew are still in hospital care, one of them still in the intensive care unit. The investigation is working diligently to clarify the causes of this accident, in the focus are mechanical components like engines but also the use of the Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE).
On Dec 30th 2024 the airline reported that the seriously injured flight attendant died.
According to information The Aviation Herald received the left hand engine suffered an oil leak causing the smoke, the engine seized leading to the suspicion that the main shaft might be fractured. The engine is being replaced.