Originally Posted by
Advance
THere are conflicting updates on the Oz website:
Three passengers of Virgin Australia partner airline Link Airways have been injured after a bizarre accident at Canberra Airport on Thursday.
It’s understood a ratchet strap used to secure a propeller on a Link Airways’ Saab 340 aircraft overnight was not removed before the 8.05am flight to Sydney.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said when the propellers started turning, the strap struck the fuselage of the aircraft
ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said they considered the incident to be serious.
“It is concerning that a passenger carrying aircraft did depart with what we understand at this stage to be the ratchet strap not removed from one of the propellers and that has subsequently come off in flight and made a penetration to some degree into the fuselage,” Commissioner Mitchell said.
“That is off particular concern to us, and something we will seek to understand what were the contributing factors, why wasn’t it picked up.”
..............................
The injured passengers were assessed for minor injuries at the scene, attended by the Australian Federal Police.
...............................
Virgin Australia denied anyone was injured and said “all passengers had disembarked safely”.
“Virgin Australia can confirm that flight VA633 operated by Link Airways on behalf of Virgin Australia from Canberra to Sydney on Thursday, November 10 was involved in an incident near Canberra airport,” said a Virgin Australia spokeswoman.
Nobody injured, one, three ????????????????
Nothing at all makes sense, first it hit the fuselage when the prop started turning, but later it hit the fuselage in flight. Also who uses 'ratchet straps' on a Saab, its got built in nacelle lock points which will not hold on much more than early start. This will be a very interesting read, as will the Dash 8 brake fire from the other day.