Faulty wheel pin caused plane scare

Press, 16 July 1983, Page 3

Faulty wheel pin caused plane scare

An incorrectly aligned attachment pin on the nosewheel assembly of a Mount Cook line Hawker Siddeley 748 airliner was the cause of the nose-wheel failing to lock down before landing at Christchurch Airport on May 23. '

The aircraft, with 48 passengers and a crew of five, had been on a scheduled flight from Auckland and Rotorua to Christchurch. It landed safely without structural damage, and nobody was injured. The finding was announced yesterday by Mr P. S. Phillips, managing director of the Mount Cook Group, after a company inquiry. Failure to detect the error and the difficulties of ensuring correct installation have led the airline to introduce new methods and safety checks on this structure.

The company has pointed out deficiencies in the manufacturer’s manual in this regard, and has recommended new procedures. The report said that the aircraft had been maintained to the approved schedule, but a defect had existed in the nosewheel attachment and this had not been detected. The report said that installation instructions in the approved maintenance manual were “less than adequate.” Disciplinary measures had been taken, including a re-training programme and reassessment of the engineer concerned. The company’s maintenance manual has been revised with new checking and safety steps included.

The report had been sent to the Minstry of Transport, Mr Phillips said.