An Airbus A330-900neo operated by Azul Linhas Aéreas has remained grounded in Lisbon for almost six months after an unsecured 2,608-kilogram cargo pallet moved forward during landing and struck the aircraft’s forward cargo-compartment structure. The incident has prevented the aircraft, registered PR-ANY, from returning to Brazil and delayed its planned handover to lessor Avolon and future operator Gol.
The aircraft landed at Lisbon Airport on 17 April after flight AD8750 from Campinas–Viracopos. Two pallets had been loaded in the forward hold, but the XZ locking fittings for the forward pallet had not been raised in the cargo-floor rails. The second pallet, weighing 2,570 kilograms, was secured correctly.
During braking after touchdown, the unsecured pallet slid forward and hit the front of the hold. The impact damaged the cargo-compartment lining and primary structure, as well as the adjacent forward avionics bay. A crossbeam was deformed and fractured. The pilots received no warning, and passengers disembarked normally.
Azul’s internal review identified limited experience among loading personnel, the absence of the responsible supervisor at the start of the operation and inadequate training by the ground-handling contractor. The airline subsequently issued a safety warning, retrained ground staff and tightened loading procedures at stations serving wide-body aircraft.
Repairs began during the week of publication at TAP Maintenance & Engineering in Lisbon. Airbus did not clear PR-ANY for a ferry flight to Brazil, where the approximately seven-and-a-half-year-old aircraft had been scheduled for removal from Azul’s fleet from 30 April. Once airworthy, it is expected to fly to Teruel, Spain, for preparation for Gol, although the transfer remains contingent on completion of the repairs.