On 10 June 2003, during a routine maintenance inspection between flights, the number 3 main landing gear wheel of a Boeing Commercial Aircraft Co. 727 freight aircraft, registered VH-VLH, was found cracked through the central hub body around the inboard bearing position. Some associated damage had been sustained by the brake unit as a result of the hub failure, however the tyre had not deflated. The adjacent number 4 wheel was undamaged. Following removal from the aircraft, the aircraft operator forwarded the wheel assembly to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau on 01 July 2003, for evaluation and analysis of the failure and consideration of the likely contributory factors.
