A FlySafair flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town was forced to return to Johannesburg on Sunday after a wheel was damaged during take-off. The local airline, FlySafair, released a statement regarding the incident, providing details of the events that transpired.
The flight, FA212, departed from OR Tambo International Airport on schedule at 11:32am. The departure and take-off were reported to be normal, and the crew set course for Cape Town.
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Shortly after take-off, ground staff at OR Tambo reported witnessing what appeared to be damage to one of the aircraft’s back wheels. The crew was immediately alerted to this observation, and a decision was made to return to Johannesburg.
In order to lighten the aircraft for landing, the aircraft adjusted its course back to Johannesburg and entered a holding pattern near Parys.
This allowed for the burning off of fuel, as modern Boeing 737 aircraft do not have the capability to dump fuel. The decision to burn off fuel is a standard procedure when there is no urgency to land, as it ensures a safer landing with a lighter fuel load.
Prior to the final landing, the aircraft made a low pass over OR Tambo so that safety and technical teams could visually inspect the landing gear.
This inspection was crucial in assessing the extent of the damage. Observers confirmed that one of the four rear wheels had come adrift during the take-off roll. Specifically, the affected wheel was one of the two attached to the left rear landing strut.
Following the visual inspection, the aircraft proceeded into a second holding pattern over Centurion to burn away any remaining fuel before their final landing approach. The aircraft landed safely back at OR Tambo International Airport at approximately 2 pm.
South African Pilots 🛬 doing what they do best.
Great work from the pilots , any landing we walk away from is a safe one. #FlySafair #flightradar https://t.co/fR3zjxnW5n pic.twitter.com/MZXKv3rGIC
— Tumi3bars _Pilot 🏳️🌈 (@A380Capt_Tumi) April 21, 2024
As a precautionary measure, response vehicles were activated to greet the plane upon landing. After landing, the aircraft underwent a thorough inspection by safety and engineering teams on the runway before it was brought back to the terminal.
Customers on the affected flight will be transferred to a waiting backup aircraft to proceed to Cape Town. FlySafair has assured its customers that the nature and cause of the tyre damage are currently under investigation by the relevant technical teams and authorities. Further details regarding the investigations of the aircraft and runway are expected to be released in due course.
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FlySafair expressed its gratitude to its customers for their patience and understanding throughout the entire process. The airline also commended its ground and air crews for their exceptional control and care in managing the issue, emphasizing their commitment to safety above all else.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent safety protocols in the aviation industry. FlySafair’s swift response and adherence to safety procedures ensured the safe return of the aircraft and the well-being of its passengers.
