Screwdriver tip left in Jetstar engine during maintenance causes engine failure and aborted take-off

The tip of a screwdriver left inside a jet engine on a Jetstar A320 plane caused flames and an aborted take-off at Brisbane Airport last year, a report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found.

The Jetstar flight bound for Cairns was preparing for take-off in Brisbane in October last year, when the crew felt a vibration and heard a popping noise.

The report released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) today found the screwdriver tip had been in the engine "for over 100 flights".

ATSB director of transport safety Stuart McLeod said the tool part had been left in the engine after the plane had undergone maintenance.

"When the engine was running, it entered the high-pressure compressor, leaving dents and nicks in numerous rotor blades and stator vanes," Mr McLeod said.

"Small and seemingly insignificant tool components can, and have, caused significant incidents or accidents," he said.

Leave a Comment