It is with great sadness and dismay that the airline Swiss has announced to all of its crew members that they have been taken to hospital after an emergency landing in Graz.

The tragic incident occurred as a result of a serious incident on flight LX1885 from Bucharest to Zurich on December 23, 2024. The passengers and crew had to deal with a critical situation on board caused by engine problems and smoke in the cockpit and cabin. Despite the successful emergency landing and immediate medical care, the affected crew member died on December 30th in a Graz clinic.

An incident with far-reaching consequences

The flight LX1885 takes off regularly from Bucharest on December 23rd to Zurich. But soon after takeoff, technical problems arose, which were exacerbated by smoke in the cockpit and cabin. This dangerous situation caused the pilots to initiate an emergency landing at Graz Airport. The rescue measures started quickly and professionally on site. All passengers and crew were able to exit the aircraft safely and immediate medical examinations were initiated.

Among the affected crew members, the young employees were noted, whose health was critical shortly after landing. Despite intensive efforts by the treating doctors in Graz, his life could not be saved. The news of his death deeply shocked the entire Swiss workforce.

Reactions to the Swiss leadership

Jens Fehlinger, CEO of Swiss, was stunned and deeply affected in an official statement: “We are all deeply shocked by the loss of our valued colleagues.” This news has made us deeply sad. Our condolences go first and foremost to his family, whose pain is immeasurable. We stand by them during this difficult time and offer all possible support.”

Oliver Buchhofer, COO of Swiss, also had moving words: “It’s a black day for all of us.” We are deeply affected by the loss of a member of our team. At the same time, we would like to thank the rescue workers in Graz for doing a great job in this difficult situation.”

Root cause research and ongoing investigations

The exact circumstances that led to the emergency landing are the subject of ongoing investigations. Both Swiss and the responsible authorities are working closely together to clarify the causes of the engine problems and the smoke. Experts are examining the affected aircraft for technical defects that may have led to this serious incident.

The event also raises questions about the safety and reliability of modern aircraft technology. The affected machine, whose model and year of manufacture have not yet been specified by Swiss, will be subject to a detailed examination. The aim is to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Cohesion in difficult times

There is deep concern within the Swiss workforce. The fate of the young crew member not only caused sadness, but also strengthened solidarity. “In moments like these we see how important mutual support is,” explained a Swiss spokesman. The airline has stressed that it will take all necessary measures to provide assistance to both the relatives and colleagues of the deceased.

The passengers of flight LX1885 are grateful for the Kissonne and the professional response of the crew during the emergency. “It was a scary experience, but the crew responded great,” said a passenger who witnessed the incident.

A tragic end to a difficult year

The incident and subsequent tragedy cast a dark shadow over the holidays and end of the year for Swiss. As the airline struggles to come to terms with what happened, the loss of an employee stands as a painful reminder of the risks that can come with aviation. The hope remains that the investigations will not only provide clarity about the causes, but also help prevent future incidents.