The Rex flight was delayed three hours and then experienced an electrical system fault. Photo: Rex Airlines/file photo only.
A recent Rex airlines flight from Griffith bound for Sydney had to be diverted to Parkes for an unplanned landing due to an “electrical system fault”, an incident that could be investigated by the nationwide transport regulator.
On Sunday (22 February), Rex flight ZL6469, a small, 34-passenger, twin-engine turboprop Saab 340B, was scheduled to depart Griffith Airport at 4:30 pm.
However, the plane was delayed more than three hours and did not depart until 7:38 pm.
During the flight, while the aircraft was cruising at its normal height, the crew noticed an electrical system fault affecting the right side of the aircraft.
According to the The Australian Transport Safety Regulator (ATSR), crew detected abnormal operation indications from the number two engine and shut down the engine, before diverting the aircraft to Parkes for an uneventful landing.
The ATSR was notified of the incident but is still gathering further information prior to making a decision on whether it will launch an investigation.
The aircraft returned to service about 36 hours after landing.
Region asked Rex Airlines to explain what happened, what caused the electrical system fault and what arrangements were made for the passengers affected.
Rex did not answer all of our questions but provided the following statement.
“Regional Express flight ZL6469 from Griffith to Sydney received flight deck indications enroute,” a spokesperson said.
“In accordance with standard company operating procedures, the crew conducted a precautionary engine shutdown and diverted to Parkes airport. The aircraft landed at Parkes at 9:13 pm (AEDT).
“A replacement aircraft was dispatched to Parkes on Sunday night to transport passengers to Sydney.”
The replacement flight departed Parkes airport at 12:18 am Monday 23 February and arrived in Sydney at 1:08 am, seven hours after the original flight was first scheduled to land.
“A Griffith Airport staff member said the plane was delayed partly due to the weather and partly because it had broken down earlier that day. Then it had an electrical fault on our flight as well,” a passenger on the flight wrote on social media.
“A text from Rex to let us know about the delay would have been nice.”
