Primera TF-JXG flight diverts to Rome

Icelandic charter operator Primera's Dublin based B737-700 registered TF-JXG was involved in a diversion to Rome's Fiumicino airport last Friday, July 3. The aircraft was operating flight JXX 362 from Zakynthos to Dublin with 153 passengers and 6 crew when the crew requested an emergency landing due to a technical problem.

Two Italian Air Force Eurofighter aircraft were scrambled to escort the aircraft. According to reports TF-JXG had made an unauthorised decent, without declaring emergency from it's cruising altitude to FL200. With the G8 summit in Rome taking place the Italian Authorities would understandably have been sensitive to unusual aircraft flight patterns. Memories of the Helios B737 which crashed in Greece in 2005 may well have also played a role in the decision to deploy the Italian Air Force in this instance.

Initially the Italian authorities requested that the flight divert to Capodichino Airport, Naples in order to keep the aircraft away from Rome and the G8 summit. The aircraft commander refused the suggestion insisting that the longer runway length in Rome was required.

After burning fuel off the west coast of Italy the aircraft landed safely at Fiumicino. Passengers were held in Rome for ten hours while a replacement aircraft was sourced. The exact nature of the technical problem has yet to be identified although some passengers reported flaps being inspected which would be consistent with the commander requesting the longer runway length which was available at Rome.

TF-JXG has 'form'. The aircraft is currently the subject of an investigation by the Irish AAIU after an in flight engine shutdown in March of this year. The aircraft had departed the Air Atlanta hangar in Shannon on March 28 last on delivery to Primera when the crew declared 'Mayday' and returned to the airport. The March incident was previously reported here at : Primera.