FlySafair shows that it puts passenger and crew safety first in the way it handled a potentially problematic situation.
The airline put human lives first in a recent incident when it burnt off a plane load of aviation fuel before returning to base to avert a potential issue on arrival in Cape Town.
On Sunday 21 April, South African budget carrier FlySafair flight FA 212 operating a scheduled flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town returned to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport after sustaining damage to its landing gear.
FLYSAFAIR CAPE TOWN FLIGHT
Flight FA212 departed Johannesburg on schedule at 11:32 Departure and take-off went according to plan and the crew set course for Cape Town.
The flight was scheduled to arrive in Cape Town at 13:50.
After takeoff, ground staff at Johannesburg airport reported observing what appeared to be damage to one of the aircraft’s back wheels.
Flight FA 212’s crew was alerted to the observation by airport staff. Putting safety first, FlySafair decided the flight should return to Johannesburg.
BURNING OFF FUEL
As a result, Flight FA212 adjusted its course, heading back to Johannesburg.
The aircraft entered a holding pattern to burn off fuel and lighten the aircraft’s weight before landing.
This is standard procedure when there is no urgency to land.
It is indeed safer for an aircraft to land with a lighter fuel load.
VISUAL INSPECTION CARRIED OUT
Before landing, FA 212 made a low pass over OR Tambo Airport.
This was so that safety and technical teams on the ground could inspect the landing gear visually before the aircraft made its landing.
The aircraft passed overhead at approximately 1:20 p.m.
Observers on the ground confirmed that one of the four rear wheels had come adrift during the flight FA 212’s takeoff roll.
The affected wheel was one of the two attached to the left rear landing strut.
FLYSAFAIR LANDS SAFELY
Modern aircraft are equipped with several redundancies and are able to land with a missing tyre.
The Boeing 737-800 landed back at OR Tambo International Airport at 2:06 p.m.
The crew managed to land the aircraft safely, but the runway was closed for a few hours, leaving one other runway open for flights.
Response vehicles were activated to meet the aircraft as a precautionary measure.
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GETTING BACK ON COURSE
After landing, the aircraft was inspected by safety and engineering teams on the runway before the plane was brought back to the terminal.
Customers were transferred to a backup aircraft that was waiting to fly them to Cape Town.
“We extend our thanks to our customers for their patience and understanding through this process and to our crews both on the ground and in the air for managing this issue with the utmost control and care, exemplifying our commitment to safety above all else.”
FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kirby Gordon
INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
The nature and cause of FA 212’s tyre damage are under investigation by the relevant technical teams and authorities.
The airline awaits further details from their investigations of the aircraft and runway.
The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) confirmed the incident and praised the flight crew for their handling of the situation.
“We would like to praise FlySafair pilots and crew for their professional handling of this emergency. Their training and experience ensured that all passengers onboard the plane walked away unscathed.”
ACSA’s Regional General Manager Jabulani Khambule
