While conducting a regular public transport operation between Williamtown and Sydney, the pilot of a British Aerospace J31 secured the right engine of the aircraft after it auto shut down. He informed the air traffic controller who then issued a clearance to proceed direct to Sydney. The investigation revealed that a support bearing in a gear shaft had failed within the engine gearbox, disconnecting the gear shaft. This deprived the oil pump, fuel control unit, and fuel pump of drive, thereby shutting down the engine. The bearing failure is the subject of a major defect report to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
