The ATSB is investigating the fracture of a main landing gear wheel on a Saab 340B aircraft, registered VH‑VEF, at Melbourne Airport on 1 April 2026.
After a flight from Orange, New South Wales, to Melbourne, Victoria, a post-flight inspection identified that one of the aircraft's tyres had deflated and that a section of the wheel rim had fractured and separated. The separated piece was subsequently found on the lead-in to the aircraft's parking bay at Melbourne Airport.
Engineering inspections by the operator found evidence of fatigue cracking within the tyre bead seat area. The wheel had been recently overhauled by the supplier and had not previously been fitted to the operator's aircraft.
A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | AO-2026-071 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 01/04/2026 |
| Occurrence time and timezone | 0741 UTC |
| Location | Melbourne Airport |
| State | Victoria |
| Report status | Pending |
| Anticipated completion | Q3 2026 |
| Investigation level | Short |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation phase | Evidence collection |
| Investigation status | Active |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Objects falling from aircraft |
| Occurrence class | Incident |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Saab Aircraft Co. |
|---|---|
| Model | 340B |
| Registration | VH-VEF |
| Serial number | 340B-457 |
| Aircraft operator | Vee H Aviation Pty Ltd |
| Sector | Turboprop |
| Operation type | Part 121 Air transport operations - larger aeroplanes |
| Activity | Commercial air transport-Scheduled-Domestic |
| Departure point | Orange Airport, New South Wales |
| Destination | Melbourne Airport, Victoria |
| Injuries | None |
| Damage | Minor |