JQ420 forced to return to SYD

[Greg Hyde]

A Jetstar flight bound for the Gold Coast was forced to return to Sydney on Thursday, after encountering trouble after take-off.

Flight JQ420 left Sydney Airport at 10.20 - but about 20 minutes into the flight it could be seen circling off the coast before returning to the tarmac.

The flight was met by firefighters who believed the plane had lost a locking pin in the undercarriage, connected to the front brake, prompting concerns it would have landing issues.

Debris was found on the runway after the plane took off. Jetstar has apologised for the inconvenience caused - but says the safety of passengers is a priority.

Those on the flight boarded another plane at 2pm - and made it to their destination.

From 7News

[Philip Argy]

Is it just a fluke that debris was found on the runway after JQ420 departure? There isn't a runway inspection after every movement, and a locking pin is presumably too small for Tower to have noticed falling off?

[Fred C]

The runway inspection would have been undertaken as a precaution after the takeoff. JQ420 would have known there was a problem and reported it to the tower.