Air Force jet's emergency landing after gear failure

By AINSLEY THOMSON

An Air Force Boeing 757 made an emergency landing at Auckland's Whenuapai airport yesterday after a problem with the nose landing gear.

The aircraft - one of two B757s the Air Force bought last April to replace the ageing B727s - had flown from Whenuapai down to the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School at Matamata airfield about 1.30pm when a warning light indicated the nose gear was not working.

The aircraft's captain, Wing Commander Tony Davies, said they flew past the Matamata control tower and it was confirmed the gear had not extended.

The 10-year-old aircraft, with five crew on board, flew back to Whenuapai, where it circled at 2000m for half an hour while undergoing the emergency landing checklist.

Emergency services, including 10 fire appliances, were on standby at the airport.

Wing Commander Davies said the alternative landing system was activated and the nose gear extended. After a visual check by crew on the ground, the plane landed safely.

The landing was watched by about 50 carloads of people who had heard about the emergency at the West Auckland airfield.

Wing Commander Davies said the Air Force had experienced a "few minor snags" with the new B757s, such as the failure of electronic components, but he had confidence in the aircraft.

The B757 in yesterday's drama was meant to fly to Honiara today, but will be inspected and should be cleared in time for the Ardmore airshow this weekend.

National Party defence spokesman Simon Power said the incident once again called into question the Air Force's funding.

"This Government spends just 0.9 per cent of GDP on defence, while Australia spends 1.7 per cent of GDP."

Air Force problems

An Air Force Hercules, which had flown to cyclone-stricken Niue, broke down on the island with a faulty oil gauge. It could not take off until a second Hercules flew in with replacement parts.

* Last August, all four Hercules planes in New Zealand were out of action, which meant soldiers and military equipment were delayed from arriving in the Solomons for nearly a week.

* In June, a Hercules flying 33 engineers home from the Solomons diverted to New Caledonia when an engine caught fire.

* In April, an Orion surveillance plane made an emergency landing at Christchurch Airport when crew noticed a strong burning smell.

* In December 2002, it was revealed that the Orions suffered an equipment failure during every second flight.