A Vietnam Airlines flight from Haiphong to Danang lost a wheel after landing at Danang International Airport on October 21.
One of the front wheels is lost
The pilot, Vu Tien Khanh, said the ATR 72 plane was checked and given permission to fly. Flight number VN 1673 took off at 12.45 with 41 passengers and landed successfully in Danang at 14.15, however, when the technicians checked the plane again, they found out that one of the nose wheels was missing.
The ATR 72 does not have a warning system if something happens to the landing gear so the crew have no idea how or when they lost it.
Khanh said the weather was good and did not notice anything on landing. "After the incident, I had to ask a technician who was also in the cockpit with me that if he felt anything during the flight. He said he didn't feel anything." he added. However, after they had landed, Khanh said the plane moved a bit slower than normally.
"Vietnam Airlines pilots must to take training sessions twice a year. However, I'm worried about any potential damage caused by the lost wheel," Khanh said.
Vietnam Airlines has made report to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and the manufacturer of the ATR to find out the cause. All ATR planes will also be put on temporary suspension. According to Vietnam Airlines, this ATR was produced and put into use since 2009 and its last periodic test was on September 21, 2013.
Pham Xuan Thanh, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said they have also carried out an investigation. Currently, Vietnam has 14 ATR 72 planes under the management of Vietnam Airlines. All of these planes are still quite new.
The National Traffic Safety Committee and the Ministry of Transport has also ordered to check the ATR thoroughly and asked for reports by October 22.
