[Peetwo]

QF144 incident update: 22/01/23

Ref:

QF incidents update??

Via Popinjay's media statement page:

737 engine failure incident


Statement can be attributed to ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell

Last night the Australian Transport Safety Bureau commenced a transport safety investigation into the in-flight engine failure incident involving a Qantas 737 aircraft during a flight from Auckland to Sydney.

The ATSB has assigned a team of three experienced transport safety investigators, with experience in aircraft maintenance, aircraft operations, and data recovery, to commence the evidence collection phase of this investigation.

At the ATSB’s request the operator has quarantined the aircraft’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders. Once downloaded, information from those recorders will be analysed at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra.

Other likely investigation activities will include interviewing the flight crew, reviewing operator procedures, analysing weather information, examining any relevant engine components, and potentially attending any tear-down inspection of the engine.

Our investigators will now work methodically to progressively establish the incident’s sequence of events and contextual information, with a view to determining contributing factors and any underlying safety issues, which will be detailed in the investigation’s final report.

The scope of the investigation and its timeframe will be determined as the ATSB build its understanding of the nature of the event.

Passenger-carrying operations are the ATSB’s highest investigation priority, and, as with all ATSB investigations, if at any time during the course of this investigation we uncover any critical safety issues, we will immediately share those with relevant stakeholders so timely safety action can be taken.

Hmm...I note Popinjay has omitted his normal statement that the prelim report will be released in 6-8 weeks (in contravention of the Annex 13 SARP)?

Next, more QF incidents.. :

Two Qantas flights from Melbourne turned around due to issues with the planes

By Serena Seyfort
6:58pm Jan 20, 2023

Four Qantas flights have been impacted by mechanical issues in just three days, with the airline reporting a second flight out of Melbourne was turned back today. 

Flight QF1516 from Melbourne to Canberra was turned around "as a precaution due to an issue with the flaps" about half an hour after Flight QF430 from Melbourne to Sydney had to return to Tullamarine Airport 20 minutes into its journey.

The Canberra-bound Boeing 717, which left just after 10am, landed without issue in Melbourne, a Qantas spokesperson told 9news.com.au.


The Melbourne to Sydney flight was turned around after 20 minutes. (Nine)


Qantas has had four flights affected by aircraft issues in three days. (Getty)

Flaps are located on the trailing edge of each wing of a plane and allow the plane to generate more lift at slower airspeed.

The earlier flight had to be turned back after the pilots "received an indication of a minor engine issue" shortly after takeoff at 9.40am.

The Boeing 737 aircraft landed normally, with Qantas confirming both engines "remained operational throughout the flight".

Qantas has said passengers from both flights will be put on other flights throughout Friday.

The incident has occurred after a Qantas flight from Sydney to Fiji yesterday was turned around as a precaution due to a potential mechanical issue.

The day before, a mayday call was made on a Qantas flight from Auckland to Sydney after an issue arose with one of the plane's engines.

Addendum: 

From the above it would appear that the No1. engine malfunctioned/failed at approximately 10 minutes after TOPC -   

Engine failure or malfunction involving a Boeing 737-838, VH-XZB, en route from Auckland, New Zealand to Sydney, New South Wales, on 18 January 2023

Summary

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating an engine failure or malfunction involving a Boeing Company 737-838, registration VH-XZB that occurred en route from Auckland New Zealand, to Sydney, New South Wales on 18 January 2023.

During cruise, the no. 1 engine malfunctioned or failed, and the flight crew commenced a descent. They also initially declared a MAYDAY, but this was later downgraded to a PAN (meaning an urgent message or situation). The flight continued to Sydney for an uneventful landing.

As part of the investigation, the ATSB will interview involved parties, examine recorded data, review maintenance documentation and relevant procedures and collect other evidence as required.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.

 
I note that the ATSB, much like AO-2022-068 & AO-2022-066, is yet to indicate what 'investigation level' AO-2023-007 will be designated  ...

MTF...P2