Australian carrier Virgin defends safety record

Australian budget airline Virgin Blue defended its safety record Wednesday after a front wheel malfunctioned on landing, sending an aircraft veering across the runway.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it was investigating the incident, in which a Boeing 737-800 landing at Melbourne airport from Adelaide city on Tuesday morning pulled strongly to the right once on the ground.

"My understanding is that as the pilot was taxiing in he noticed increased difficulty in manoeuvring the aircraft, whereupon after-flight inspection found there was damage to the nose wheel," air safety investigator Ian Sangston told AFP.

The union representing aircraft engineers said the nose wheel had "disintegrated" on landing in the incident which follows a Virgin aircraft losing a wheel as it prepared for takeoff from Melbourne in July.

Virgin Airworthiness and Maintenance manager Darren Dunbier said safety was the airline's priority and the well-being of the crew and guests on board was never in question.

"Upon inspection our engineers found that a component within the wheel hub of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft had failed," Dunbier said.

"This is the first time this issue has occurred with any of our aircraft and we have been advised by the wheel supplier that it is a very rare occurrence."

The wheel and brake unit were replaced and the aircraft immediately returned to service, he added.

"These aircraft, including aircraft landing gear, are expertly designed with many back-up safety features including the ability to land safely if any wheel is rendered unserviceable, which was the case this morning," he added.

Virgin was preparing to step up the frequency of its maintenance schedule to exceed manufacturer and industry requirements, said Dunbier.