Investigation underway after Qantas-owned cargo plane depressurises mid-flight

An investigation is underway after a Qantas-owned cargo plane depressurised mid-flight, rendering one of the pilots unconscious.

A Qantas plane is seen at Sydney Airport in Sydney. Picture: AAP

An investigation is underway after a Qantas-owned cargo plane depressurised mid-flight, rendering one of the pilots incapacitated.

The Boeing 737 operated by Express Freighters Australia was flying from Brisbane to Melbourne late Wednesday night when the crew received a wing body overheat warning near Narrendera in New South Wales.

According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the crew donned oxygen masks and descended to 20,000 feet but the First Officer was “subsequently incapacitated”.

“The Captain descended to 8000 feet and diverted the aircraft to Canberra,” said the ATSB report.

Both pilots were taken to hospital after landing in Canberra without incident.

A Qantas spokesman said both had since been discharged.

A wing body overheat warning is an indication of a leak in the corresponding bleed air duct which, if on the left hand side, provides air for pressurisation.

As part of the investigation, the ATSB will collect and examine information on the aircraft’s flight data recorders and interview maintenance and flight crew.

“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify those affected and seek safety action to address the issue,” the ATSB report said.

The Qantas spokesman said the fault related to the on-board airconditioning system.

“We are conducting an investigation into the incident and the aircraft is being inspected by engineers,” he said.

Qantas was also providing assistance to ATSB investigators as required.