Aviation

Delta Airlines B757 aircraft loses nose wheel just before takeoff

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On January 20, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 faced a harrowing incident as it lost its nose wheel shortly before attempting to take off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

According to US aviation officials, the incident occurred around 11:15 a.m. as the aircraft was preparing to embark on a flight to Bogota, Colombia. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) swiftly initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter.

Their initial report revealed that the nose wheel detached from the aircraft and rolled down a hill, creating a potentially perilous situation for the departing flight. Fortunately, all passengers on board were able to disembark safely, and there were no reported injuries.

Passengers were later transported back to the terminal via buses, as confirmed by the FAA. Delta Air Lines, the operator of the flight, promptly arranged for a replacement flight for the affected passengers, ensuring minimal disruption to their travel plans.

While the investigation is ongoing, the FAA has not yet determined the cause of the incident. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, declined to comment on the matter and directed inquiries to Delta Air Lines, the entity responsible for the maintenance of its planes.

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Aviation

Lost Tool Found in Qantas A380 After 34 Flights

An Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation recently revealed that a Qantas A380 operated 34 flights with a 1.25-meter nylon tool lodged in one of its engines.

This turning tool, used during borescope inspections to rotate the intermediate-pressure compressor, was left behind during scheduled maintenance at Los Angeles on December 6, 2023. It remained inside the engine until it was discovered by maintenance staff during a subsequent check at Los Angeles on January 1, 2024.

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The ATSB report highlights two critical lapses. First, maintenance engineers failed to notice the tool during final checks for foreign objects after the borescope inspection. Second, the lost tool procedure was not activated when the tool was identified as missing.

The certifying engineer ultimately cleared the aircraft for service without accounting for the misplaced tool. During the time qantas films the tool was inside, the A380 completed 34 flight cycles, accumulating nearly 294 hours without any noticeable effect on engine performance.

Although the tool was deformed by high-energy airflow within the engine, there was no reported damage to the engine itself. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell commented.

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“This incident underscores the importance of following established maintenance protocols. Engineers missed the tool during foreign object checks, and the required lost tool procedure wasn’t started after realizing the tool was missing.”

Following the investigation, the airline issued a safety directive, urging all engineering and tool storage teams to adhere strictly to these protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A qantas spokesperson stated, “While the tool didn’t impact engine performance, we take this incident very seriously. It is critical to follow the correct lost tool procedures.”