FlySafair Averts Crisis with Skilled Handling of Mid-Flight Wheel Detachment
In a remarkable incident on April 21, a FlySafair Boeing 737-800 lost a wheel from its main landing gear during takeoff but managed to return and land safely at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. The flight, FA212, was en route to Cape Town International Airport when the crew was alerted to the potential damage.
Prompt Response and Safe Landing
The aircraft, after losing the wheel, was promptly guided back to Johannesburg. To ensure a safe landing, the flight crew conducted a low flyover of the airport for a visual inspection by ground safety teams, confirming the loss of the wheel. The plane then landed smoothly at 14:06, with no injuries reported among passengers or crew.
Efficient Emergency Management
FlySafair's handling of the incident demonstrated exceptional emergency response coordination. The airline's ground and air teams worked in tandem to manage the situation, minimizing risk and inconvenience to passengers, who were later transferred to another aircraft to continue their journey.
Ongoing Investigation and Fleet Strategy
The aircraft involved, registered as ZS-FGE, has been in service since 2007 and joined FlySafair's fleet in 2020. Investigations are in progress to ascertain the cause of the wheel detachment. Meanwhile, FlySafair's recent fleet strategy discussions at the Aviation and Travel Trends Roundtable highlighted the airline's plans to stabilize its fleet size and potentially introduce newer models like the Boeing 737 MAX in the coming years.