A Delta Connection Bombardier CRJ-900, operating flight 3831, diverted to Albany, NY, after losing cabin pressure at 30,000 feet on 27th November. The aircraft flew from Providence, RI, to Detroit, MI, when the emergency occurred. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely, and no injuries occurred.
The flight, scheduled for 615 miles, diverted after 280 miles, cutting the journey short by more than half. The aircraft took off at 5:38 PM local time and landed in Albany at 6:33 PM after 55 minutes. After reaching cruising altitude, the crew descended to 10,000 feet in just four and a half minutes following the pressure loss.
The pilot declared an emergency and squawked the 7700 transponder code. The plane flew at a lower altitude for 20 minutes, completing two holding patterns before diverting to Albany. After a safe landing on runway 19, the aircraft spent 12 minutes descending before stopping.
The plane involved in the incident was a 17-year-old Delta Connection Bombardier CRJ-900, registered N689CA. It had flown for about 34,360 hours and 25,000 flight cycles. After spending several hours in Albany, the aircraft flew to Detroit for inspection and maintenance.
Delta sent a replacement Embraer ERJ-175 to ferry passengers to Detroit. However, the delay extended their arrival by nearly 10 hours. Cabin depressurization occurs when the aircraft cannot maintain proper pressure at high altitudes.
Normally, the system uses engine air to regulate pressure, ensuring passengers remain comfortable and avoid altitude-related health issues. When the system fails, the flight must descend or land immediately to ensure safety. Without a pressurized cabin, passengers risk decompression sickness and barotrauma.
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