Virgin Australia Regional Airlines ATR 72-600 Runway Excursion at Moranbah Aerodrome (VH-FVY) and Heavy Landing at Gladstone Airport (VH-FVQ)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines ATR 72 VH-FVM at Moranbah Aerodrome  (File photo)

An investigation has been launched by the Australia Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) after a Virgin Australia Regional Airlines ATR 72-600 - VH-FVY - left the runway during a landing at Moranbah Aerodrome on Monday 8 July.  

VH-FVY at Emerald Airport  (File photo)

Initial investigations suggest that on landing at Moranbah Aerodrome - at the conclusion of the scheduled VOZ1663 service from Brisbane - the aircraft's right undercarriage left the runway surface.  The investigation is continuning.  VH-FVY has since continued in service with Virgin.

Meanwhile, the Gladstone Observer newspaper has reported this week that on Saturday 6 July, the 10.40am Virgin flight from Gladstone to Brisbane was cancelled after the pilot reportedly landed the incoming flight quite heavily on the Gladstone Airport runway.  There was suspected damage to the ATR 72-600 which was possibly VH-FVQ.

Passengers were bussed to Rockhampton Airport for a 4.45pm flight to Brisbane, six hours later than the original flight, while others bailed on Virgin for one of QantasLink's three Saturday flights to Brisbane.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson wouldn't comment on the incident, but said the aircraft had been pulled out of service and was being checked by engineers as a precautionary measure.  She said it had since been cleared by engineers and re-entered the service.