Airframe event, VH-ZLC, Saab 340B, Orange Aerodrome, New South Wales, on 6 July 2008

On 6 July 2008 at 1345 Eastern Standard Time, a SAAB 340B aircraft, registered VH-ZLC, departed the terminal at Orange aerodrome for a scheduled flight to Sydney. At the point of rotation during take-off, the right outboard wheel was observed to have detached from the aircraft. The crew elected to continue the flight to Sydney where the aircraft landed without further incident.

Examination of the components found that the right outboard wheel detachment occurred as a result of the failure of the outboard wheel bearing. It was possible that the failure was related to a lubrication or setting (installation) issue, however this could not be positively determined due to the degree of damage sustained by the bearing components.

As a result of this occurrence, the aircraft operator undertook a thorough internal safety investigation and implemented a range of safety actions, including a review of wheel bearing maintenance procedures, and an audit of main wheel axle nut torques across the fleet.