If you’ve ever turned up to work with only half of your normal working capacity and barely prepared to start the day, most people would be able to relate.
But I’m pretty sure no one would expect a plane to, for lack of a better term, “half-ass” their job.
However, that was quite literally the case yesterday (19 June) when a Scoot plane flying from Seoul landed in Taipei with a missing wheel.
Scoot Plane Missing Wheel When Landing in Taipei
According to the Central News Agency (CNA) in Taiwan, the flight in question was Flight TR897.
It landed at Taoyuan International Airport after midnight yesterday (19 June) at 12.06 am.
According to Focus Taiwan, it was carrying more than 300 passengers.
Based on Scoot’s statement to CNA, a technical fault was identified just as the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was landing in Taipei.
Prior to the actual landing, the crew had discovered abnormal tire pressure.
Well, in this case, the tire pressure was really abnormal.
After landing, the plane of the budget airline was found to be missing its left nose wheel, which is one of two wheels at the front of the aircraft under its nose.
For the unaware, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners are usually equipped with two nose wheels as they help guide the plane across the tarmac.
After landing the plane, personnel discovered that the left nose wheel, along with its metal rim, was missing.
Apparently, the left wheel shaft had been damaged too.
Taoyuan International Airport Corporation later added that the wheel was not found on the runway.
Meaning that pretty much no one knows where the wheel is.
Airplane’s Next Flight to Singapore Was Cancelled
Based on information regarding flight TR897 on Changi Airport’s Passenger Arrivals page, the plane was supposed to fly from Taipei to Singapore after its flight from South Korea to Taipei.
The flight, which was scheduled from 1.30 am to 5.55 am on 19 June, ended up being cancelled.
For obvious reasons.
The flight was rescheduled to that night, with the takeoff time being 8.45 pm and the landing time being 1.35 am today (20 June).
Taiwan Transport Minister’s Response
When speaking to local media, Taiwan’s Transport Minister Wang Kuo-tsai revealed that Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) has begun investigating the issue.
He did not reveal the cause of the incident but said that standard procedures would be adhered to if the falling off of the wheel was caused by maintenance issues.
Mr Wang also shared that the plane is currently in the midst of waiting for available parts so that it can be repaired.
Scoot’s Response
When speaking to the press, Scoot expressed its apologies for the distress and inconvenience caused to its passengers on the delayed flight.
Scoot also highlighted how passengers’ and crew members’ safety is of utmost importance to Scoot.
A spokesperson added that the airline rendered any assistance passengers required, such as accommodations and refunds.
However, this isn’t the first time something odd (and potentially dangerous) has happened on a Scoot flight.
Just last month (May), another Scoot aeroplane had to turn back halfway through a flight from Bangkok to Singapore after “technical faults” were detected.
The passenger cabin filled up with smoke as well.
Earlier this year, in January, another two passengers were injured on a Scoot flight from Taipei to Singapore after a power bank caught on fire.