Date: December 23, 2024
Aircraft Involved:
• Aircraft Type: De Havilland Dash 8-400
• Registration: VH-QOI
• Operator: Sunstate Airlines (operating for QantasLink)
• Flight Number: QF-2017
• Route: Sydney, NSW to Broken Hill, NSW, Australia
Incident Overview
On December 23, 2024, Sunstate Airlines flight QF-2017, a Dash 8-400 operating on behalf of QantasLink, experienced a gear-related issue while en route from Sydney to Broken Hill. The aircraft had reached FL220 and was in the initial descent toward Broken Hill when the crew identified a problem with the landing gear.
As a precaution, the crew halted the descent at FL180 and decided to return to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. The aircraft landed safely in Sydney approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes after departure.
No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Sequence of Events
1. Cruise and Initial Descent:
• The flight departed Sydney on schedule and climbed to FL220 en route to Broken Hill.
• During the initial descent toward Broken Hill, the crew detected a landing gear issue.
2. Decision to Return:
• The crew stopped the descent at FL180 and made the decision to return to Sydney for safety reasons.
3. Safe Landing in Sydney:
• The aircraft landed without incident at Sydney Airport after approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of flight.
4. Replacement Aircraft:
• A replacement Dash 8-400 (VH-QOY) was dispatched to complete the journey to Broken Hill, arriving with a delay of about 5 hours.
5. Aircraft Inspection:
• The affected aircraft (VH-QOI) underwent inspections and returned to service approximately 20 hours after the incident.
Initial Findings
1. Landing Gear Issue:
• The exact nature of the gear problem is yet to be disclosed but was significant enough to prompt the precautionary return to Sydney.
2. Operational Impact:
• The delay caused inconvenience to passengers but ensured safety was prioritized.
3. Crew Decision-Making:
• The flight crew’s prompt decision to return to Sydney exemplifies adherence to safety protocols and proper risk assessment.
Recommendations and Safety Measures
1. Technical Investigation:
• Conduct a detailed inspection of the aircraft’s landing gear system to determine the root cause of the issue.
2. Maintenance Review:
• Review maintenance logs and inspection intervals for landing gear components on the Dash 8-400 fleet.
3. Passenger Communication:
• Enhance real-time communication with passengers during unscheduled returns to provide clarity and reassurance.
4. Crew Training:
• Continue rigorous training for pilots to manage in-flight technical anomalies effectively.
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Our investigation reports are based on all the evidence and facts we have at the time of writing and posting. We apologise if any details are missed or are not fully accurate.
