Virgin Australia AT72 at Albury on Feb 25th 2014, suspected bird strike
Last Update: June 10, 2014 / 14:02:55 GMT/Zulu time
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Feb 25, 2014
Classification
Accident
Airline
Virgin Australia
Flight number
XR-1174
Departure
Sydney, Australia
Destination
Albury, Australia
Aircraft Registration
VH-FVR
Aircraft Type
ATR ATR-72-200
ICAO Type Designator
AT72
Australia's Transportation Safety Board (ATSB) reported that the post flight examination revealed substantial damage to the tail assembly of the aircraft and included this new, second accident into the investigation concerning a turbulence accident five days earlier, see: Accident: Virgin Australia AT72 near Sydney on Feb 20th 2014, severe turbulence injures cabin crew.
The ATSB stated:
Investigation AO-2014-032 encompasses two accidents that occurred to the same aircraft, VH-FVR
Those accidents are:
- a turbulence event on 20/2/2014 (ATSB reference number 201400786)
and
- substantial damage detected on 25/2/2014 (ATSB reference number 201400985)
Both of these accidents are being considered as part of the ATSB's investigation. The ATSB is working with the operator and the aircraft manufacturer to understand the chain of events that led to the damage sustained by the aircraft.
On Jun 10th 2014 the ATSB released their preliminary brief stating, that examination of the aircraft did not find any evidence of a bird strike. The captain had observed birds to the left of the aircraft while on approach to Albury and suspected a bird strike despite the absence of usual indications, however, after landing while on the ground the pitch trim system had fluctuated abnormally. The captain performed a walk around and detected damage to the fairing at the top leading edge of the vertical stabilizer which might have been the result of a bird strike. The captain thus advised maintenance. A maintenance engineer was dispatched to examine the aircraft and confirmed the fairing had received damage that might have been the result of a bird strike and grounded the aircraft, the ATSB was informed of a bird strike.
The operator advised however that the damage might have been the result of the occurrence on Feb 20th 2014. On that basis the ATSB decided to include the investigation of the Albury event into the investigation of the Sydney event.
The ATSB reported: "The aircraft manufacturer inspected the aircraft and found broken carbon plies, cracked joint sealant, and deformation in and around the area where the horizontal stabiliser attaches to the vertical stabiliser (Figures 2 and 3). There was also some minor damage to the rudder. The damage was assessed as being consistent with an overstress condition. Subject to further assessment and non-destructive testing, the aircraft manufacturer recommended replacement of the horizontal stabiliser, elevators, and vertical stabiliser."
Incident Facts
Date of incident
Feb 25, 2014
Classification
Accident
Airline
Virgin Australia
Flight number
XR-1174
Departure
Sydney, Australia
Destination
Albury, Australia
Aircraft Registration
VH-FVR
Aircraft Type
ATR ATR-72-200
ICAO Type Designator
AT72
This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source
You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.
Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!
Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.
Send tip
Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.
Related articles
Virgin Australia AT72 at Albury on Oct 19th 2019, near collision with private aircraft on final approach
A Virgin Australia Airlines Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A, registration VH-FVR performing flight VA-1174 from Sydney,NS to Albury,NS…
Virgin Australia AT72 near Sydney on Feb 20th 2014, control disagreement causing excessive G-forces injures cabin crew and pitch controls disconnect
On May 24th 2019 the ATSB released their final report concluding the probable causes of the accident were:Contributing factors- During the descent,…
SkyWest Airlines AT72 at Moranbah on May 16th 2013, multiple GPWS alerts while descending to remain clear of cloud
A SkyWest Airlines (Australia) Avion de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A on behalf of Virgin Australia Regional, registration VH-FVR performing flight…
Fleet type match
Virgin Australia B738 at Sydney on Jun 12th 2025, unstable approach
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YIL performing flight VA-920 from Brisbane,QL to Sydney,NS (Australia), was on final visual…
Virgin Australia B738 enroute on Aug 13th 2025, loss of cabin pressure
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-IJR performing flight VA-993 from Sydney,NS to Brisbane,QL (Australia), was enroute at FL370 when…
Fleet type match
Virgin Australia B738 near Hobart on Jul 21st 2025, fire in cabin
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YFY performing flight VA-1528 from Sydney,NS to Hobart,TA (Australia), had been enroute at FL380…
Virgin Australia B738 enroute on Sep 6th 2023, inflight upset on opening the cockpit door
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YQR performing flight VA-336 from Brisbane,QL to Melbourne,VI (Australia), was enroute when a…
Fleet type match
Virgin Australia B738 at Brisbane on Nov 30th 2022, overran runway on takeoff and became airborne
A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-YFH performing flight VA-324 from Brisbane,QL to Melbourne,VI (Australia) with 169 passengers and…
Newest articles
Avianca Mexico A333 at San Pedro Sula on Nov 18th 2025, runway excursion on line up
An Avianca Cargo Mexico Airbus A330-300 freighter, registration N337QT performing flight 4R-4274 from San Pedro Sula (Honduras) to Miami,FL (USA),…
Fleet type match
ACT B744 at Hong Kong on Oct 20th 2025, runway excursion, aircraft broken up in waters
An ACT Airlines Boeing 747-400 freighter on behalf of Emirates, registration TC-ACF performing flight EK-9788 (dep Oct 19th) from Dubai Al Maktoum…
Subscribe today
Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.
Pick your plan and subscribePartner
ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.
SafetyScan Pro provides streamlined access to thousands of aviation accident reports. Tailored for your safety management efforts. Book your demo today
AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American AirlinesUnited
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways