Passengers and crew on a Regional Express aircraft flying from Albury in NSW have made a lucky escape after one of its propellers sheared off in mid-flight, narrowly avoiding hitting the wing and tail and forcing its pilots to make an emergency landing at Sydney Airport.
The Saab 340, carrying 16 passengers and three crew, was about 10 nautical miles from Sydney Airport when its right-hand propeller flew off, leading the two pilots to declare a PAN, which is one step down from a full-scale Mayday.
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Plane lands without its propeller
A REX pilot makes a calm call to flight control after losing a propeller mid flight between Albury and Sydney. (Vision courtesy: ABC New)
The pilots are understood to have felt a vibration and were about to shut down the right-hand engine when they looked out the cockpit window to see the propeller â rotating at thousands of revolutions per minute â disappear over the plane's wing.
Following the PAN call to air-traffic control, emergency services readied for the 34-seat plane's arrival at the airport, but it landed safely shortly after midday on Friday.
![The plane was carrying 16 passengers and three crew.](/web/20170318130737im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/0/m/d/y/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gv0i1c.png/1489790066785.jpg)
Aviation watchers say it was "incredibly lucky" the propeller did not hit the wing, fuselage or the tail, which could have been catastrophic for the aircraft and those on board.
"They were a hair's breadth away from a disaster. I don't know how the hell it didn't damage the aircraft as it went past," Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association president Paul Cousin said.
"There would be no reason for [those pilots] to take a TattsLotto because [they] have have used all of their luck getting out of that situation."
Mr Cousins said the pilots had demonstrated skill in overcoming the initial shock of the propeller disappearing before their eyes and then guiding the plane in safely to land at Sydney Airport.
![A propeller sheared off the Regional Express Saab 340 in mid-air on Friday.](/web/20170318130737im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/0/m/4/8/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gv0i1c.png/1489816701277.jpg)
The plane's distraught passengers were taken to a terminal at Sydney Airport after the plane landed and offered counselling. The plane was towed to Regional Express's hangar near the domestic terminal at Sydney Airport.
Given the proximity of the turboprop aircraft over built-up areas near Sydney when the mid-air incident occurred, aviation sources said it was fortunate that the propeller did not injure people on the ground.
![The right-hand engine, minus propeller, after the plane landed.](/web/20170318130737im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/0/i/3/w/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gv0i1c.png/1489790066785.jpg)
The plane was likely to have been above Camden in south-west Sydney when the propeller sheared off.
Early inspections of the plane suggest that the propeller has broken away from the shaft in the engine.
Residents in south western parts of Sydney have been told to inform police if they discover the propeller, which will form a key part of an investigation into the incident.
A spokeswoman for Regional Express said the airline was still investigating what caused the propeller to dislodge on Flight ZL768.
"We are still investigating what happened and what was the cause," she said.
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority confirmed that the plane's right-hand propeller "came dislodged" about 10 nautical miles from Sydney Airport, and the plane declared a PAN emergency before it proceeded on to land safely.
Twin-engine planes can land safely on one propeller.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the incident.
Regional Express is the largest independent regional airline in Australia, and its fleet includes 55 of the Swedish-designed Saab 340 aircraft.
Do you know more? Email mosullivan@fairfaxmedia.com.au