A Jetstar flight came close to touching down without its landing gear in place as a result of a “series of distractions”, according to a new report.
Pilots onboard flight VH-VQ from Sydney to Ballina forgot to lower the aircraft’s wheels after completing a “go-around” – an aborted landing – in May.
On the second landing attempt, crew did not realise the landing gear was in the wrong position until a warning signal was triggered at just 700ft (213m).
A new report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, seen by 7news, found that “the flight crew incorrectly actioned the landing checklist” and didn’t follow standard procedures during the first go-around, creating a “series of distractions”.
“During the downwind leg following the first go-around, the flight crew did not select the landing gear down as they had commenced the configuration sequence for landing at the Flaps 3 setting,” read the report.
“Furthermore the flight crew incorrectly actioned the landing checklist, which prevented the incorrect configuration for landing being identified and corrected.”
After the warning signal, the pilots initiated a second go-around and landed safely on the third attempt.
“Unexpected events during approach and landing phases can substantially increase what is often a high workload period,” added the report.
“Adherence to standard operating procedures and correctly monitoring the aircraft and approach parameters provides assurance that a visual approach can be safely completed.
“The selection of inappropriate auto-flight modes, unexpected developments, or any confusion about roles or procedures can contribute to decisions and actions that increase the safety risk to the aircraft and its passengers.”
Jetstar told the ATSB that the pilots had attended debriefs with operations management and undergone simulator training following the incident.
The Independent has contacted Jetstar for comment.
It’s not the first time an aircraft has almost landed without its wheels in place.
In September a plane came within one minute of touching down without its landing gear.
Vietnam Airlines flight VN781, flying from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne, was on the approach to the airport when air traffic controllers realised the plane’s wheels were still up.
The crew of the Boeing 787 had to abort the landing when they realised the issue.
Flight tracking data from Flight Aware shows that the plane dipped to 880 feet before climbing rapidly to just under 5,000 feet, when the crew realised the landing gear was still up.
