Qantas pilots call mayday after ‘low fuel event’ near Perth

Qantas pilots declared a ‘mayday’ 336km out of Perth after running low on fuel following a 5.5-hour flight from Brisbane.

A Qantas 737 aircraft like the one that ran into strife at Perth Airport. Picture: Brendan Radke

Qantas pilots called a “fuel mayday” in the final stages of a flight from Brisbane to Perth on Monday to avoid remaining in a lengthy holding pattern.

Although the Boeing 737 had 50-minutes worth of fuel on board after the five-and-a-half hour flight, after 10-minutes of holding the pilots were advised they would have to stay in the air for longer.

It’s understood air traffic control advised the pilots that four aircraft were in front of them and if they wanted a priority landing they would need to call a fuel mayday, which they did.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was investigating the “low fuel event” which occurred over Wave Rock, 336km from Perth.

“During descent the crew declared an emergency due to the amount of fuel on board and proceeded to land at Perth,” said the ATSB investigation brief.

“The aircraft landed with reserves intact.”

Qantas chief pilot Dick Tobiano said based on the pre-flight conditions, the pilots had loaded fuel in accordance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority requirements and Qantas’ fuel policy.

“On approach into Perth, air traffic control requested the aircraft hold for longer than our pilots had previously been advised, and that to be given priority to land our pilots needed to make a fuel mayday call,” said Mr Tobiano.

“The aircraft landed with 40 minutes of fuel in the tank, which is well above the minimum requirements. Our pilots followed the correct procedures and there was no safety issue with the flight.”

Commercial passenger flights are required to land with at least 30-minutes of fuel left in their tanks.

The ATSB investigation was expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.

Qantas was planning to discuss the event with Airservices Australia which manages air traffic control.

An Airservices spokeswoman said they were co-operating with the ATSB but were unable to comment further because the incident was under investigation.

There was no suggestion the passengers and crew on the flight were ever in any danger.

Originally published as Qantas pilots call mayday after ‘low fuel event’ near Perth