777 Diversion

[pelmet]

I post these incidents sometime, simply to show some of the unusual types of situations that pilots can encounter........


C-FJZS, a Boeing 777-333ER operated by Air Canada, was conducting flight AC311 from
Montreal/Trudeau Intl. Airport (CYUL), QC, to Vancouver Intl. Airport (CYVR), BC with 14 crew and
440 passengers on board. During cruise at FL340, a passenger indicated that they could see
something glowing on the wing surface. The First Officer observed what appeared to be a scorch
mark accompanied by what appeared to be static discharge. The flight crew declared PAN PAN
and requested a diversion to Toronto/Pearson Intl. Airport (CYYZ), ON, where they landed and
were inspected by ARFF before taxiing to their gate. Maintenance inspection revealed that there
were two locations on the wing where a rubberized sealant material from a seam in the wing
panels had become loose and was pulled into the airstream, as well as two broken bonding straps
in the same area, which allowed a static charge to build up. The sealant and bonding straps were
replaced, and the aircraft was returned to service.

[cdnavater]

I post these incidents sometime, simply to show some of the unusual types of situations that pilots can encounter........


C-FJZS, a Boeing 777-333ER operated by Air Canada, was conducting flight AC311 from
Montreal/Trudeau Intl. Airport (CYUL), QC, to Vancouver Intl. Airport (CYVR), BC with 14 crew and
440 passengers on board. During cruise at FL340, a passenger indicated that they could see
something glowing on the wing surface. The First Officer observed what appeared to be a scorch
mark accompanied by what appeared to be static discharge. The flight crew declared PAN PAN
and requested a diversion to Toronto/Pearson Intl. Airport (CYYZ), ON, where they landed and
were inspected by ARFF before taxiing to their gate. Maintenance inspection revealed that there
were two locations on the wing where a rubberized sealant material from a seam in the wing
panels had become loose and was pulled into the airstream, as well as two broken bonding straps
in the same area, which allowed a static charge to build up. The sealant and bonding straps were
replaced, and the aircraft was returned to service.

You’re right, that is an unusual situation for sure.