Checklist Challenge: Flight Crew’s Successful Mistake Really Wasn’t

Cockpit circumstances during a 2016 El Al episode could have resulted in a different outcome.

Les Abend

Friday, August 22, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Key Takeaways:

El Al Flight 30 experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff, leading to a safe return to Toronto despite multiple significant deviations from standard emergency procedures.
The incident highlighted critical missteps in cockpit management, including an unauthorized pilot seat swap, the captain overruling the appropriate "engine fire/severe damage" checklist for a less severe "compressor stall" procedure, and attempting engine restarts after the fire handle was pulled.
Further procedural issues included initiating fuel dumping without checklist reference, non-standard communication, and failing to preserve cockpit voice recorder data.
Despite the safe outcome, the event underscored a crucial need for airlines to review checklist protocols, crew resource management (CRM) practices, and adherence to procedures during emergencies.

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Barely 10 minutes into the departure from Toronto Pearson International Airport (CYYZ) on December 20, 2016, El Al Flight 30 experienced an engine failure during its initial climbout at approximately 13,000 feet. The B-767-300 was en route to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (LLBG) with 224 passengers and crew on board—a scheduled 10-hour flight.

Although the flight crew event had a successful conclusion, circumstances in the cockpit could have resulted in a different outcome. Why?