Fuel leak causes flight to return

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA A330-243 VH-XFG (CN 1407)    File Photo

A Virgin Australia flight travelling from Melbourne (MEL / YMML) to Hong Kong - Chep Lak Kok  (HKG / VHHH) was forced to turn back after fuel started streaming from the No 2 engine earlier today. VA 69 departed runway 34 in Melbourne at 10.26am (local) and climbed to 29,900 feet, at 10.52am the pilots decided to return to Melbourne and while over Swan Hill performed a 180deg turn. The aircraft touched down safely on runway 34 at 11.28pm, just over 1 hour after it departed.

Virgin Australia statement:

"We can confirm flight VA69, travelling from Melbourne to Hong Kong, made an air return and landed safely back in Melbourne this morning after an engineering issue was detected shortly after take-off.  In accordance with standard operating procedures, the Captain made the decision to return to Melbourne as a precautionary measure and our engineers are currently inspecting the aircraft.
The safety of our aircraft, guests and crew is our highest priority and we will work hard to have our guests on their way to Hong Kong as soon as possible."




Aircraft Information
Airline: Virgin Australia
Code: VA / VOZ
Aircraft: A330-243
Registration: VH-XFG
Serial Number: 1407
Engines: 2 RR Trent 772B-60
First Flew: 21/03/2013
Age: 6 Yrs 3 Mts