One or both of the equipment cooling warning lights came on to indicate low airflow through the cooling fans (a result of the decreased air density), accompanied by the master caution light. In the next few minutes a number of warning lights on the overhead panel in the cockpit illuminated.
The cabin altitude warning should have prompted the crew to stop the climb, but it was misidentified by the crew as a take-off configuration warning, which signals that the aircraft is not ready for take-off, and can only sound on the ground. As it passed through an altitude of 12,040 ft, the cabin altitude warning horn sounded. Īs the aircraft climbed, the pressure inside the cabin gradually decreased. The aircraft took-off at 9:07 with the pressurisation system still set to "manual", and the aft outflow valve partially open. During none of these checks did the flight crew notice the incorrect setting of the pressurisation system and did not set it back to "auto". Īfter the aircraft was returned into service, the flight crew overlooked the pressurisation system on three separate occasions: during the pre-flight procedure, the after-start check, and the after take-off check. carry out this check, the pressurisation system was set to "manual", and was not set back to "auto" on completion of the test. The inspection was carried out by a ground engineer who then performed a pressurization leak check.
Helios flight 522 full#
When the aircraft arrived from London Heathrow earlier that morning, the previous flight crew had reported a frozen door seal and abnormal noises coming from the right aft service door, and requested a full inspection of the door. Located by F-16s over Aegean island of KeaĬabin oxygen deployed, no signs of terrorismįighters see an individual in the cockpit,Īpparently trying to regain control of aircraft General Staff, Admiral Panagiotis Chinofotis No response to radio calls from Athens ATC Flight and crash Ĭabin Altitude Warning sounds at 12,040 feet (3,670 m) 32-year old Louisa Vouteri, a Greek national living in Cyprus who served as a chief purser, replaced a sick colleague. Pampos Charalambous, 51, a Cypriot who flew for Helios, served as the first officer. Hans-Jürgen Merten, a 59-year-old German contract pilot hired by Helios for the holiday flights, served as the captain. The scheduled arrival time in Athens was 10:45. The flight was scheduled to leave Larnaca, Cyprus at 09:00 local time, to Prague via Athens. The aircraft had arrived in Larnaca from London Heathrow at 01:25 that morning. Aside from the downed aircraft, the Helios fleet consisted of two leased Boeing 737-800s and an Airbus A319-111 delivered on.
Helios flight 522 registration#
The aircraft involved in this incident was first flown on 29 December 1997 and had been operated by DBA until it was leased by Helios Airways on 16 April 2004 and nicknamed Olympia, with registration 5B-DBY. File:Helios 737 olympia.jpgĪ Helios Airways Boeing 737-300 at London Luton Airport, England. pngĥB-DBY, the aircraft involved in the accident, is seen here at Ruzyne Airport in March 2005. Background File:Helios Airways Boeing 737-300 5D-DBY PRG.