A Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by WestJet had taken off for a flight from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Calgary (YYC) when the flight crew encountered two system warnings. Unable to resolve the second issue, a PAN PAN was declared and the aircraft returned to Toronto.
Incident details
On Thursday, a Westjet Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered C-FQGG was performing flight WS4201 from Toronto to Calgary. According to FlightRadar24.com data, the aircraft had taken off at 16:23 and encountered issues shortly after takeoff.
According to The Aviation Herald, the aircraft was leveling off at FL360 when a hydraulic pump low-pressure indication was observed. Concerning the aircraft’s #2 engine-driven pump, the crew worked through the related checklist and cleared the indication. However, a “short time later,” the oil filter bypass light illuminated.
Despite working through the related checklist, the crew could not clear the indication and proceeded to shut down the engine. Flying over an area between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury (Ontario), a PAN PAN was declared, and the flight was diverted back to Toronto. At approximately 18:00 local time, the 737 MAX landed safely on Pearson’s runway 33R.
An unsecured hydraulic line
According to The Aviation Herald, a Canadian TSB report notes that airline maintenance had discovered the hydraulic line quick disconnect between the #2 engine-driven pump and the #2 engine pylon had been unsecured. After re-securing the line, WestJet undertook a fleet-wide inspection of hydraulic quick disconnect connectors to ensure that they were all in their locked positions.
FlightRadar24.com indicates that the aircraft involved in the March 23rd incident remained on the ground for five days. It only returned to service on March 28th as flight WS665, another service from Toronto to Calgary. Since returning to service, the aircraft has completed nine flights without issue. However, it did have its WS1040 service from Halifax to Orlando canceled on March 31st for reasons unknown.
C-FQGG is one of 23 737 MAX 8s operated by WestJet. According to Planespotters.net, the aircraft is actually quite new, having been delivered to the airline in January 2023. Its serial number is 65426, while its line number is 8472. Like other MAX 8s in the fleet, the aircraft is configured with 12 premium seats and another 162 in standard economy.
About the engines that power the Boeing 737 MAX
An exclusive, single-option powerplant powers the Boeing 737 MAX in the form of the LEAP-1B. This engine is designed, produced and marketed by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Safran Aircraft Engines and GE. According to Safran, the LEAP-1B has accumulated over 20 million flight hours since entering service in 2017. The engine is rated to have a maximum takeoff thrust of 28,000 lbf.