The ATSB has released an interim report from its ongoing investigation into the engine failure and rejected take-off of a Saab 340 regional airliner at Adelaide Airport.
The report details that the Regional Express (Rex) operated Saab 340B was taking off from Adelaide Airport’s runway 05 for a flight to Broken Hill, with 2 flight crew, 1 cabin crew and 23 passengers on board, on the morning of 8 October 2025.
“During the take-off roll the aircraft’s left engine failed,” explained ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell.
“As the aircraft was below the V1 decision speed the pilots rejected the take-off and the aircraft came to a stop on the runway.”
After completing the engine failure management checklist for the left engine, the crew, at the request of ATC, then taxied the aircraft off the runway, coming to a stop on taxiway D1.
Once the Saab was on the taxiway, operations from runway 05 continued, with ATC clearing a Boeing 777 to land and then an Embraer E190 to take off.
Meanwhile, after identifying steam or smoke from the aircraft’s left engine, ATC requested aviation rescue fire fighting (ARFF) service trucks attend the aircraft. At about the same time, an airport worker reported to ATC that they could see oil spilling from the aircraft’s left engine.
“In response, the ground controller requested an inspection of the runway, which identified a small patch of oil,” Mr Mitchell continued.
“Concurrently, after ARFF advised the aircraft captain that the leaking fluid from the aircraft was oil, the crew decided to conduct a normal passenger disembarkation through the aircraft’s main forward left door, and the passengers were subsequently bussed to the terminal.”
After the oil patch was cleaned, runway 05 was reopened and normal operations resumed.
The interim report, which does not contain any findings, details that the aircraft’s left engine was shipped to the UK where it underwent a teardown inspection.
“This inspection confirmed that damage was primarily associated with the power turbine module,” Mr Mitchell continued.
“The damaged components have now been sent to the engine manufacturer, GE Aerospace, in the United States, for metallurgical examination, the pending results of which we will detail in our final report.”
Mr Mitchell noted that as well as analysing the metallurgical examination results once available, the investigation was also considering flight crew, air traffic control, and airport procedures.
The investigation’s final report, detailing findings and analysis, will then be drafted once that analysis is complete.
Read the interim report: Engine failure and rejected take-off involving Saab 340, VH-ZPN, at Adelaide Airport, South Australia, on 8 October 2025