Investigation number
AO-2011-143
Occurrence date
Location
Sydney Airport
State
New South Wales
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Short
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Landing gear/indication
Occurrence class
Incident
Highest injury level
None
Following landing at Sydney Airport on the 8 Nov 2011, one of the main wheels of a Virgin Australia Boeing 737-8FE, registered VH-VUF, was found to have separated at the hub. The failure was traced to fatigue cracks emanating from an unpeened area of the inner hub's bearing bore. The operator had complied with the manufacturer's wheel inspection requirements. However, as a result of the occurrence, the operator increased the frequency of the ultrasonic inspection of the wheel hubs.
Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
The Boeing Company
Model
737
Registration
VH-VUF
Aircraft Operator
Virgin Australia
Serial number
34168
Operation type
Air Transport High Capacity
Sector
Jet
Departure point
Melbourne, Vic.
Destination
Sydney, NSW
Damage
Minor