A Malta Air Boeing 737-8-200 experienced an in-flight engine shutdown shortly after departing Krakow, Poland, after a cockpit sun visor became detached, according to preliminary findings released by investigators.
The incident occurred on 8 December 2025 during a scheduled flight to Milan Bergamo Airport. The aircraft climbed through approximately 8,000ft when the crew reported the engine shutdown and issued a precautionary urgency call. The flight later continued safely after the engine was restarted.
The findings were disclosed by Poland’s accident investigation authority and first reported by FlightGlobal, according to aviation safety correspondent David Kaminski-Morrow.
What Investigators Say Happened
According to Poland’s State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL):
- A cockpit sun visor detached during the early climb phase.
- Shortly afterward, one engine shut down.
- The crew stabilized the aircraft at 10,000ft.
- A “pan-pan” urgency call was transmitted, then cancelled.
- The engine was successfully restarted, and the aircraft continued to Milan.
Weather conditions were reported as CAVOK, ruling out environmental factors such as icing or turbulence.
Aircraft and Operator Context
The aircraft involved carried registration 9H-VUE and was operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair Group subsidiary based in Malta.
The Boeing 737-8-200 is part of the 737 MAX family, powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines, and certified to continue flight safely following an engine failure, in line with ICAO and EASA requirements.
Why a Sun Visor Matters
Cockpit sun visors are mounted above the windshield to reduce glare. While not flight-critical systems, loose or detached cockpit components can:
- Interfere with flight controls
- Distract flight crew during critical phases
- Trigger abnormal procedures
Investigators have not yet disclosed how the visor interacted with cockpit controls or whether it directly caused the engine shutdown.
Regulatory and Safety Context
Under ICAO Annex 13, national authorities must investigate incidents involving system failures that could affect flight safety.
Early-stage findings are typically released to:
- Alert operators to potential risks
- Preserve safety transparency
- Prevent premature conclusions
What’s Still Unknown
Investigators have not yet confirmed:
- Which engine was affected
- Whether maintenance history played a role
- If design or installation factors were involved
- Any recommended corrective actions
Further analysis of flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data is expected.
Industry Outlook
While rare, cockpit equipment detachments are taken seriously due to their potential to trigger cascading events. If investigation findings point to systemic issues, regulators could issue:
- Maintenance advisories
- Inspection bulletins
- Design or installation reviews
For now, the incident reinforces the importance of cockpit hardware integrity and crew procedural discipline during abnormal events.
Source
- FlightGlobal, David Kaminski-Morrow
- ICAO Annex 13, Aircraft Accident Investigation
- Boeing 737 MAX Programme Overview
