After changing the plane tyre, a bolt wasn't removed so landing gear couldn't retract

[OzBob]

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201625/flight_620x310.jpg
Flight circles Auckland after technical issues - National - NZ Herald News (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11657148)

A Fiji Airways flight had to burn off fuel after suffering technical problems following take-off from Auckland Airport this afternoon.
Flight FJ410 departed for Nadi just before 2.30pm.
However, the Boeing 737-8X2 reported technical problems after take-off.
It was put into a holding pattern, circling over Albany and Whangaparaoa, to burn off fuel.
The flight came in to land safely just after 4pm.
A Fiji Airways spokesman confirmed the plane was forced to land back at Auckland Airport after issues with the landing gear not able to retract into the plane after take off.


"After changing the plane tyre, a bolt wasn't removed so the landing gear couldn't retract into the plane. Oilei #FijiAirways #Fj410."
Passenger Sainimili tweeted: "Just had to land back in Auckland after circling North Shore for the last 2 hours."

[cnsnz]

A bolt not removed stopped gear retraction? Maybe a gear pin left in is an easier one to believe.

Ground handler/engineer should have noticed the pin still in during final check/pushback.

[belowMDA]

At least with the gear stuck down it wouldn't have taken as long to burn off fuel down to MLW!:}

[Capn Bloggs]

Probably had one of those flags covered in grease and so old it had lost 3/4s of it's length... Gimme fresh bright dayglo and gimme lots of it Bro! :}

[Icarus2001]

so old it had lost 3/4s of it's length. The joys of aging Bloggs.

[Offchocks]

Ground handler/engineer should have noticed the pin still in during final check/pushback

So should have the Pilot who did the walkround. Mistakes happen, luckily in this case it was just an inconvenience to the pax and an embarrassment to the crew.

[600ft-lb]

OTP OTP OTP, dont rush guys, OTP OTP OTP, safety before schedule, OTP OTP OTP, dont give in to time pressure, OTP OTP OTP.

[TURIN]

And the mandatory tech log entry to fit/remove the gear pins was signed off by whom I wonder?

[Offchocks]

And the mandatory tech log entry to fit/remove the gear pins was signed off by whom I wonder?

You may be surprised, not all countries or airlines require the signing off of gear pins. No matter what the regulation was, if the pins had been fitted after the walkround, I would always have a quick look see that the pins were definitely removed.

[TURIN]

Fair point Offchocks.

I work multiple airlines from various nations and they all mandate a tech log entry before fitting L/G pins.
Swiss cheese and all that.

[Capn Bloggs]

Swiss cheese and all that.
I flew an aircraft that had gear pins on the pilot's checklist (Manufacturer's CL, IIRC). Then I flew an aircraft that didn't have the pins on the checklist (Manufacturer's CL; same one as this incident aero). ;)

[Offchocks]

Turin I believe there should be a specific sign off of the pins. In my last airline (a large one), some engineers used to sign off the pins others did not. When I questioned those that didn't, the reply was that they had an approved system that when they signed the tech log, it meant all departure checks had been done including the pin removal. Personally I thought that was a bit too much like Swiss Cheese!

[AEROMEDIC]

Where I come from, dirty, illegible, damaged landing gear pin streamers are replaced. Spares are always kept by or available to line maintenance crews.
You know why they are there so it's simple...missing or damaged streamers need to be replaced. Even the holding rings that attach the streamers to the pins need to be checked.
The downside is that to carry out any maintenance, you need a I.A.W procedure. I'm not aware of a direct AMM reference.
The Standard Practices Manual barely covers it.

What do others think?

[Pakehaboy]

Another lesson in human failings.Last week,one of our Aircraft lost the #2 engine cowling,out of KPhx,those clips are supposed to be checked by at least 2 people,plus the crew.We strive for 100%,we just never seem to get there.(great photo if you care to look it up)

[Cloud Cutter]

Pretty impressive photo alright PB - do you know if those cowl doors are designed to sheer at that point, just below the hinges? Seems like pretty good design. When they unlatch but don't depart, then you're in for a problem - but I've only heard of that happening on turboprops.

[framer]

OTP OTP OTP, dont rush guys, OTP OTP OTP, safety before schedule, OTP OTP OTP, dont give in to time pressure, OTP OTP OTP.
Great post. Don't be a sucker for this folks, you won't get any extra pay for getting away two minutes earlier.

[Pakehaboy]

Pretty impressive photo alright PB - do you know if those cowl doors are designed to sheer at that point, just below the hinges? Seems like pretty good design. When they unlatch but don't depart, then you're in for a problem - but I've only heard of that happening on turboprops.
Yeah mate ,good point!Coming out of Vegas last night,the mechanics had both cowlings open,I made the effort to get down there and personally watch the relatch,by 2,and a supervisor sign off,4 latches securely latched,so that made 4 of us,verifying it was ticketiboo.I actually asked that question,there answer,No,they do not shear,just depends on how fast you are going,pith angle etc.

This was a newer A/C,latches all new,and snug,seems that over time,vibration,wear and tear etc,these latches can all become very loose,but latched.This incident is still under investigation,as they haven't found the garden where some of these parts are.Bottom line,there are just some parts of an Aircraft that need closer inspection than others.It was a daytime flight out of a MTX base,the rush to get an on time departure,both incidents seem to have corresponding issues.

This is the 3rd such incident with our cowlings,and gear pin issues are about the same,and slide deployments,and vehicle hits and jetway bumps and etc etc,...job security for many

[Cloud Cutter]

Thanks mate, food for thought!

[VHFRT]

It really astounds me the number of times I hear someone say "ok can I release the brakes now?"

As crew, OTP is the least of our concerns. We should not be rushing to "release the brakes" within 3 minutes and then sit on the gate. We do what we're paid to do and if it's delayed, it means the system failed us.

[SRM]

Boeing 737 AMM wheel change procedure requires landing gear pins to be fitted and removed, when procedure is complete.

[AEROMEDIC]

If that procedure does not also ask you to check the pin streamers for condition and legibility including the attaching rings, then it should.
They are there to help you identify the landing gear pin status i.e. removed or installed.
It's the little things that can start "big things unravelling".

[Dan_Brown]

Having Gear Bolts/Pins on the pre start checklist, would be a step in the right direction. Belt and braces. Or is it "hurry up, we have a schedule to keep"?