Report recommends stricter safety measures after propeller strap punctured aircraft taking off from Canberra Airport

Damage to the cabin of a Link Airways plane caused by a propeller strap.  (Supplied: Australian Transport Safety Bureau)

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has recommended stricter safety procedures be implemented as a result of an incident in 2022 when a propeller strap punctured the fuselage of a plane taking off from Canberra Airport, injuring one passenger.

Passengers aboard the Link Airways Saab taking off on November 10, 2022, reported hearing a loud bang after the strap was thrown free of the propeller, becoming embedded in the plane’s fuselage.

The ATSB said that as a result, cowling pins broke free and entered the cabin.

A fragment struck the leg of a passenger, resulting in minor bruising.

The investigation found the flight’s first officer failed to notice the strap was still attached before taking off.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the incident would almost certainly have been prevented if an extension had have been fitted to the safety strap when the plane was parked on the ground.

“The strap extension does not allow the door to be closed while in place — and as such would almost certainly have prevented the flight from proceeding with the propeller strap in place,” Mr Mitchell said.

The propeller strap should also have had a visibility streamer fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s design, the report found.

Guidance provided by Link Airways for training of Swissport ground dispatchers did not explain the appearance, function and importance of the propeller straps.

“For those directly involved in aircraft operations, this occurrence should highlight the importance of vigilance,” Mr Mitchell said.

When the incident occurred, the crew in the flight deck did not see or hear the propeller strap penetrate the fuselage.

The report said the cabin manager alerted the flight crew that there was an emergency, informing them that the plane needed to return to Canberra and an ambulance would be needed.

However, the flight crew did not become aware the plane had been damaged until after they landed, after just 14 minutes in the air.

At the time of the incident, a spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police said three people were assessed for minor injuries on the tarmac by the ACT Ambulance Service.

A Link Airways spokesperson said today that the company has updated its safety protocols and procedures in response to the ATSB and its own internal enquiries.

“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers remain our top priority. We apologise to those involved for any distress caused,” the spokesperson said