History of Flight
On 17 November 2021, NOVOAIR flight VQ967, an ATR 72-500 registered as S2-AHF, operated a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (VGHS), Dhaka to Saidpur Airport (VGSD), Bangladesh. The aircraft departed Dhaka at 1805 hours local time and landed at Saidpur at 1855 hours. The flight was uneventful until the landing roll.
Event Description
Shortly after the nose wheels contacted the runway (approximately 3-4 seconds), both pilots reported severe vibration and judder, followed by a tendency for the aircraft to swing. The nose gear tyres left zigzag marks on the runway surface over a distance of about 2000 feet before the aircraft came to a stop. The flight crew shut down the engines on the runway and notified the Air Traffic Controller. All passengers and crew evacuated safely and were unhurt.
Preliminary Observations
Initial examination revealed that after the nose wheel touched down, both nose wheels turned 90 degrees perpendicular to the runway centerline, and this condition could not be corrected using the cockpit nose wheel steering. As the aircraft rolled, the nose wheel dragged in the 90-degree position, causing both tyres to rupture and flatten. The nose wheel drum sustained severe damage from friction. Further inquiry established that the nose wheel torque link pin (part number D64724) had separated from the link. The pin was later found on the right shoulder of the runway, approximately 1900 feet from the threshold of Runway 34.
Investigation Status
This is a preliminary report issued by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee of Bangladesh (AAIC-BD). The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be provided in the final report.