REX SF34 at Moruya and Merimbula on Jan 9th 2015, bird strike, dropped section of propeller
Last Update: December 14, 2017 / 13:42:06 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jan 9, 2015
Classification
Incident
Cause
Bird strike
Airline
REX Regional Express
Flight number
ZL-117
Departure
Sydney, Australia
Destination
Moruya, Australia
Aircraft Registration
VH-OLM
Aircraft Type
SAAB 340
ICAO Type Designator
SF34
The crew subsequently performed an inspection of the aircraft, found no anomaly, and continued for the next sector of flight ZL-117 to Merimbula.
Descending into Merimbula the crew noticed abnormal vibrations through the flight controls, the aircraft landed safely in Merimbula.
Australia's TSB reported that another inspection at Merimbula revealed that a section of a propeller was missing. The occurrence was rated a serious incident, an investigation has been opened.
On Dec 14th 2017 the ATSB released their final report concluding the probable causes were:
Contributing factors
- The impact from multiple galahs almost certainly reduced the structural integrity of a propeller blade, resulting in the separation of its tip during the subsequent flight.
Other factors that increased risk
- The permitting of flight crew to carry out post birdstrike inspections was outside the approval of the regulator and propeller manufacturer, and reduced the likelihood of identifying serviceability issues.
The ATSB reported the aircraft had performed a visual approach to Moruya's runway 18, touched down and was slowing when a flock of galahs took off from the grass west of the runway and crossed the runway at low height. The captain increased wheelbraking in anticipation of a bird strike, selected reverse on both engines changing back to forward thrust just before reaching the galahs, however, a number of birds impacted the aircraft.
About 10 bird carcasses were found on the runway.
The ATSB wrote: "The first officer found clear evidence of multiple birdstrikes on the right side of the fuselage, and the right engine and propeller, in the form of blood staining and bird carcass debris. One of the left engine propeller blades also displayed blood staining and white powder marks, consistent with a birdstrike. Despite the bird impacts, no evidence of ingestion into the engines or physical damage to the aircraft or propeller blades was observed. The captain and the first officer reported that they subsequently carried out a detailed visual examination of the birdstrike-affected blades. The examination included rotating the propellers so that the forward and aft blade surfaces could be inspected for cracking, buckling, chips, dents or deformation along each affected blade’s leading edge. When no damage was identified, the captain contacted the operator for further technical advice and the crew were subsequently cleared to continue with the flight schedule. The crew then operated the aircraft from Moruya to Merimbula. After engine shutdown at Merimbula, the first officer opened the forward left door and observed that the tip of one of the left propeller blades had detached. The aircraft was declared unserviceable and grounded."
The ATSB reported: "The propeller manufacturer determined the damage was consistent with the effects of impact on the blade from the birdstrike. The most likely failure mechanism was considered to be delamination between the blade’s foam core and spar barrier membrane. The delamination then progressed outboard into the fibreglass layer beyond the spar resulting in the subsequent tip failure."
The ATSB analysed:
During the landing roll at Moruya Airport, a number of birds were struck. On the following flight, the left propeller blade tip failed. ...
The presence of galahs to the right of the runway during the landing roll presented a high risk of impact to approaching aircraft. The captain followed appropriate actions to maximise aircraft deceleration while minimising potential impact damage through effective use of reverse thrust and aircraft wheel braking. Despite the crew’s best efforts, the subsequent impact with the birds was considered unavoidable.
The birdstrike inspection carried out by the flight crew was in accordance with the operator’s procedures. The crew reported performing a thorough visual inspection of the individual blades on both propellers, including rotation of the propellers to sight along each blade surface for damage or deformation. Despite the lack of visible damage associated with the bird impacts, the captain sought further advice from the operator’s engineering department before determining the aircraft was serviceable. The engineering department reportedly advised the captain to follow the flight crew’s documented procedures, and if no damage was evident, continue with the flight schedule.
The ATSB further analysed: "The frequency of bird and animal (wildlife) strike incidents over a 10 year period did not indicate that an increasing wildlife problem existed at Moruya Airport. The presence of galahs was common, however the galahs were typically in small numbers, and contained to around the buildings and treed areas."
Aircraft Registration Data
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Jan 9, 2015
Classification
Incident
Cause
Bird strike
Airline
REX Regional Express
Flight number
ZL-117
Departure
Sydney, Australia
Destination
Moruya, Australia
Aircraft Registration
VH-OLM
Aircraft Type
SAAB 340
ICAO Type Designator
SF34
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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