Damage Description
Examination of the nose gear landing light revealed that the polycarbonate cover would likely have prevented disintegration due to thermal stress, such as from a blown bulb. However, bulb fragments were recovered, indicating that the light had been struck with considerable force, as the bulb fragmented despite the cover. The hydraulic line was punctured and a metal wiring conduit was deformed. These were also considered to result from an impact due to their proximity to the light and the nature of the damage. Traces of what was most likely glass were found on the damaged hydraulic line. The most probable source of the damage to the hydraulic line and wiring conduit was the glass lens of the nose gear landing light. Other potential sources, such as ground support equipment or foreign object debris, could not be ruled out, but no evidence supported these.
Sequence of Events
Both impacts most likely occurred during the flight between Sydney and Proserpine, since no damage was reported following the previous flight or during pre-flight inspections in Sydney. Fluid found in the main landing gear (MLG) wheel well likely came from the punctured hydraulic line. This fluid was probably discharged when the crew raised the landing gear during departure from Sydney, as the line would have been pressurised, and the gear was not retracted again prior to the damage being found. Therefore, it is likely that the MLG damage occurred during departure from Sydney, rather than via a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) while on descent into Proserpine, because damage on descent would not explain the fluid in the wheel well. Consequently, the noise heard by a cabin crew member was probably unrelated to the occurrence.
Conclusion
The source of the impact to the nose gear landing light could not be determined. It is possible the aircraft struck a bird or an RPA during departure from Sydney, or foreign object debris during its take-off roll. However, no debris was found during runway inspections at Sydney Airport and there was no visible biological evidence of a wildlife strike.