Incident: El Al B772 over Germany and Austria on Apr 10th 2023, losscomm

By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Apr 11th 2023 15:19Z, last updated Tuesday, Apr 11th 2023 15:20Z

A El Al Boeing 777-200, registration 4X-ECF performing flight LY-338 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Tel Aviv (Israel), was enroute at FL370 over Germany in contact with Rhein Radar when the aircraft was handed off to the next sector, however, did not contact the next sector and did not respond to any calls by ATC on various frequencies including guard frequency and did not respond to calls by other aircraft, the aircraft continued on its planned flight route. As result, Austrian Eurofighters were dispatched to intercept the aircraft and established visual contact. At this point radio communication was re-established. The fighter aircraft returned to their home base, the airliners continued to Tel Aviv for a landing without further incident about 3 hours later.

Austria's Ministry of Defense reported the alarm start of the Eurofighters was initiated at 13:08L (11:08Z), 12 minutes later at 13:20L (11:20Z) the aircraft was visually identified and radio contact was re-established.

Reader Comments: (the comments posted below do not reflect the view of The Aviation Herald but represent the view of the various posters)

Squak
By A. User on Friday, Apr 14th 2023 13:52Z

Did they squak 7600?

Anonymous
By BlueMax on Wednesday, Apr 12th 2023 19:27Z

Exactly, it's telling.
Granted, we don't know enough details about this to draw any conclusions, but to all the cheerleaders here, who are jumping over each other trying to defend this crew, without any hard evidence, claiming it will eventually happen to anyone experienced enough, then how about thinking first. If an aircraft should loose all of its (multiple, redundant) radio communication systems, the flight crew is supposed to squawk a special number so that ATC knows what's up. If you have dozed off to the land of nod while at the wheel, then there's not much a fighter jet flying abeam your wing can do. Much more likely, a concerned pax looking out the window, wondering "WTF" will alert a flight attendant, who will then check up (and wake up) the sleepy heads up front.

@Daniel
By (anonymous) on Wednesday, Apr 12th 2023 13:07Z

I think it is telling that radio contact was re-established at the time the aircraft was visually identified. Like a fighter aircraft showing up in their left cockpit window was a wakeup call that they should pay more attention to the aircraft.

Interception
By Daniel on Wednesday, Apr 12th 2023 05:56Z

And is there any reason why that happened? At least El Al owe
excuse for situation.

@Capt P
By LeftSeat on Tuesday, Apr 11th 2023 23:06Z

Easy guys.
Capt P's comment make sense to me. You fly enough hours it could get you too. He's referring to Lost comms.
Although if you're silent long enough you're going to get a visit from the folks with rockets on their wings. One can lead to the other.

Capt P - don't let them burn you. They're just trolls.

@Capt P.
By BlueMax on Tuesday, Apr 11th 2023 21:13Z

What event are you referring to that can happen to "any crew"?
How do you know that there is not "an experienced aviator" that "hasn't had it happened to them"?
Please share your knowledge of the event you are on about and how you know so much, that you can speak for every "experienced aviator".

By Pedro on Tuesday, Apr 11th 2023 20:47Z

Capt. P., I do not understand which event are you referring to: the loss of comm per se (you're right... been airline pilot since '98 and happened to me twice... but comms restored after a few resets) or take it all the way till being intercepted. Intercepted is a bit more serious... I'm sure almost all "experienced aviators" didn't get a chance to be intercepted...

ADS remarks
By Capt P. on Tuesday, Apr 11th 2023 19:18Z

This event can happen to any crew and there's not an experienced aviator that hasn't had it happened to them.

Mr. ADS, as for snoozing, you could tell a better joke, or, did it happen to you!

By ADS on Tuesday, Apr 11th 2023 18:18Z

10:24 departed AMS
10:42 reached cruising altitude
11:08 pilots snoozing

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