Jetstar Runway Excursion: Report Reveals Hydraulic Failure & Pilot Response (Christchurch, 2024)

Jetstar Landing Incident Triggered by Pilot Error and Hydraulic Failure

A Jetstar Airbus A320 flight from Auckland to Christchurch experienced a runway excursion in May 2024 after a confluence of factors, including a pre-existing hydraulic failure and unintended pilot input, according to a recently released report by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC). The incident, which occurred on May 31, 2024, resulted in significant damage to the aircraft but fortunately caused no injuries to the 169 passengers and six crew members on board.

The investigation revealed that the flight crew were already contending with a compromised hydraulic system when the aircraft began its descent into Christchurch Airport. The failure, which occurred during the cruise phase of the flight, disabled the nosewheel steering and the thrust reverser on the right engine. Despite these limitations, the crew opted to continue the flight, planning to utilize differential braking – applying varying levels of brake pressure to the main wheels – to steer the aircraft off the runway via a rapid exit taxiway, a maneuver intended to minimize disruption to subsequent flights.

The landing itself proceeded as planned, but difficulties arose during the turn onto the rapid exit taxiway. The aircraft veered off the sealed surface, striking an airfield sign and traversing the grass before coming to a stop back on the runway. The impact with the sign caused “significant damage” to the number two engine, according to the TAIC report.

While the hydraulic failure created a challenging operational environment, the investigation pinpointed an unintended movement of the thrust levers by the captain as a critical contributing factor. Louise Cook, TAIC’s chief investigator of accidents, explained that the captain inadvertently moved the thrust levers into a climb power setting instead of idle while preparing to taxi. This resulted in a sudden increase in engine power on the right side, creating an asymmetrical thrust situation and a leftward turning force, exacerbated by the disabled right engine reverser.

Cook noted that the pilots were likely focused on executing the rapid exit maneuver, a procedure they had performed frequently, and may have overlooked the incorrect thrust lever position. The TAIC report highlighted a gap in Airbus documentation and Jetstar’s flight crew techniques manual, which did not provide specific guidance on using differential braking for steering off the runway via a rapid exit. This lack of clear instruction potentially contributed to the crew’s focus on the exit maneuver at the expense of monitoring the thrust levers.

Following the incident, Jetstar has already revised its procedures to address the identified safety concerns. The airline has also committed to working with Airbus to update aircraft manuals and instructor guidance. TAIC has formally recommended that Airbus revise its documentation to mitigate the risk of pilots unintentionally moving the thrust levers to an unintended position during ground operations. Airbus has accepted this recommendation and plans to implement the changes in April and May 2026.

Beyond the immediate cause of the incident, the investigation also uncovered a pre-existing maintenance issue. A titanium hydraulic pipe installed on the aircraft was found to be slightly out of shape – oval rather than round – a deformity likely caused by damage to its packaging during transit from an Airbus warehouse in 2015. This damage went undetected during both pre-installation and post-installation inspections and ultimately contributed to the hydraulic system failure 18 months later, underscoring the importance of rigorous inspection of new parts.

Jetstar has expressed its commitment to safety, stating that “nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers and crew.” The airline thanked passengers for their cooperation during the incident and pledged to continue working with regulators to ensure the ongoing safety of its operations. The incident serves as a reminder of the complex interplay of factors that can contribute to aviation incidents, even in the absence of major injuries, and the importance of continuous improvement in safety procedures and maintenance practices.