Link Airways Saab 340 VH-VEF
A wheel rim fractured as the Link Airways Saab taxied to its Melbourne parking bay. Inspectors found a crack in the other wheel on the same gear leg.
Incident date:
LEVEL 3 Final report
Causes
Metal fatigue in airline accidents
Official investigators identified metal fatigue in 2 of the incidents we cover, from 2011 to 2026. Each account explains how it arose in that case. A shared topic does not mean the same cause.
Last updated
| Date | Flight | Aircraft | Location | Fatalities | Report status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2026 | Link Airways Saab 340 VH-VEF | Saab 340B | Melbourne Airport, Victoria; parking bay lead-in | None reported | LEVEL 3 Final report |
| 1 April 2011 | Southwest Flight 812 | Boeing 737-3H4 | Near Yuma, Arizona; diverted to Yuma International Airport | 0 | LEVEL 3 Final report |
Southwest Flight 812
Fatigue cracks linked along a poorly installed fuselage joint, opening the cabin at 34,000 feet. The crew descended and landed at Yuma.
Incident date:
LEVEL 3 Final report