QS1240 - Incident: Smartwings B738 near Athens on Feb 27th 2026

A Smartwings Boeing 737-800, registration OK-TSF performing flight QS-1240 from Prague (Czech Republic) to Hurghada (Egypt), was enroute at FL370 near Athens (Greece) when the airspeed increased from Mach 0.77 to 0.81 in 16 seconds due to turbulence and wind shear. The speed was close to maximum but did not exceed the maximum, the crew reduced the engines to near idle thrust (N1 reduced from 92 to 48%), the airspeed decayed. When the crew returned the thrust levers to cruise settings, only engine #1 responded, however, N1 of the right engine dropped to 45%. The airspeed decayed further and the minimum maneouvering speed warning activated. The crew requested an immediate descent to FL250 and was cleared to FL250, the descent was flown manually, the stick shaker briefly activated. After the flight became stabilized again with IAS above minimum speed, the autopilot was re-engaged. During the descent the crew attempted to increase thrust on the right hand engine three times, however, the engine only briefly accelerated to 50% and returned to 45% N1. Descending through FL328 the crew worked the non-normal checklist and reset the right hand engine to idle and then attempted to gradually increase thrust, the engine restored to normal operation. The crew thus stopped the descent at FL310 and with both engines operating continued the flight to Hurghada for a landing without further incident.

Czechia's UZPLN reported maintenance inspected both engines with no faults found. The operator reviewed the data recorded by the engine manufacturer's monitoring system which indicated the engine could not accelerate to the required power, the cause however could not be identified from the data. As a preventive measure the fuel filters were replaced. The engine continues to be monitored according to Fault Isolation Manual procedures. The operator alerted its crews to the correct procedure for handling this situation.

Related Flight: QS1240, Smartwings News