Incident Overview
On 4 September 2018, a Boeing 737-800, registration SP-LWB, operated flight LO162 from Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (LLGB) to Wrocław Copernicus Airport (EPWR). During the flight, the crew received a "LOW PRESSURE ENG1" indication and observed that the quantity of hydraulic fluid in system A had dropped to zero. The flight crew performed the appropriate checklists for the situation and decided to divert to Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The aircraft landed with the attendance of airport fire and rescue services; the landing was executed normally.
Findings After Landing
After the aircraft stopped, maintenance personnel discovered that several bolts securing the shimmy damper compensator on the right main landing gear strut had been sheared off. This damage caused a leak in the hydraulic system, resulting in the loss of hydraulic fluid. Traces of hydraulic fluid were found in the main landing gear pod and on the fuselage surface from the gear pod to the tail of the aircraft. Additionally, airport surfaces were contaminated: runway 33, taxiway O, and parking stand 71. The total contaminated area was measured at 257 square meters.
Cause
The Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) determined that the cause of the incident was damage to the shimmy damper at the right main landing gear strut. No contributing factors were identified.
Operator Actions
The operator recorded the incident in its Safety Management System database, classified it according to established criteria, and included it in the safety performance indicators monitored under the safety management manual. No additional safety recommendations were formulated.