Skip to playerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
  • 6/13/2025
#CinemaJourney
#Airport
Transcript
00:01We've had a report of fuel coming up from a pit on Bay Delta 11.
00:06And it's still coming out, is it?
00:08What? We think it's real, I don't know.
00:10Yeah, you can definitely spell it.
00:12This is the fuel pit under here, the main hill.
00:15So what we're concerned about is any ignition sources.
00:19Safety is number one concern and preservation of life.
00:23And when you think about it, these aircrafts, they're full of fuel at the moment.
00:27So one little ignition source could be the end of it.
00:33In Australia, just down the road can mean hundreds of kilometres.
00:39So to keep everyone connected, we rely on planes.
00:45And lots of them.
00:49Crucial to this highway in the sky is Melbourne Airport.
00:53Melbourne Airport, expect the unexpected.
00:58It's the busiest airport in the country that operates 24 hours a day.
01:04They might not have experienced something like this before.
01:06Seven days a week.
01:08We've had fog, we've had rain.
01:10So tonight we've got to get it done.
01:13With unprecedented access.
01:15The team are always on alert.
01:17From the control tower.
01:18First aid call.
01:19To the tarmac.
01:20It's all about speed.
01:21To the airport's 24-7 nerve centre.
01:24Even if there's an incident, we're the ones scrambling and passengers still have a smooth journey.
01:28We're going behind the scenes.
01:30We're looking at the cameras now.
01:32To places very few people get to see.
01:37What's inside that?
01:40All to keep Melbourne Airport running smoothly, safely.
01:44Respected firearms still in the chamber.
01:47And on time.
01:48Two down, one to go.
01:50At a 24-7 airport, every...
01:53I don't want this kangaroo jumping anyway.
01:55...second counts.
01:57See, it's ten to six, we're on scene.
02:00We've got a green light.
02:01We get to go.
02:12700 flights land and take off at Melbourne Airport each day.
02:20An average in peak periods of one plane roaring down the runway every 60 seconds.
02:28Servicing them is a fleet of specialised ground vehicles that work together with clockwork precision to ensure each flight is turned around on time.
02:40Fuel trucks, catering trucks and toilet trucks that are especially designed to empty aircraft toilets.
02:48Overseeing the action on the tarmac is the crew in the Integrated Operations Centre.
03:01Known as the IOC, it's the nerve centre for the entire airport.
03:07Okay mate, thank you.
03:10Leading the shift today is IOC Coordinator David.
03:13So, let me introduce you to David, affectionately known as Weeds, and our resident elder.
03:23I wasn't there when the Reich brothers did their first flight.
03:26Well, no, but you were there when they landed.
03:28When they landed.
03:29Yeah.
03:34David is in charge of parking no less than 350 planes.
03:39Go to David, go on.
03:40You're listening.
03:41Bates range, please.
03:43Sri Lankan, URL 604.
03:45Now, Delver 11.
03:49On the tarmac, David relies on Airside Safety Officer Daniel to keep an eye on things.
03:56What we're looking for are things like the serviceability conditions, that includes like the pavement, line marking and lighting.
04:05And then we'll be looking for things like shoulder erosion, any wildlife that's out there and any FOD.
04:11FOD are more commonly known as foreign object debris.
04:14Morning peak hour on the tarmac is between 7 and 9 a.m.
04:23But at 7.57, David's parking plan has hit a speed bump.
04:29Security Draga speaking.
04:31Oh, teeth brown.
04:34Shit. Shit happens.
04:36We've had a spill of some effluent waste on the tarmac.
04:40It's come from a toilet truck, the truck that normally disposes of the waste from the aircraft.
04:46Each day, the airport's toilet trucks hoover up 40,000 litres of number ones and twos through hoses that connect to an aircraft's waste tank.
04:56Allegedly, there was an issue with the hose.
05:00So, approximately, the Airside Safety told us around about 20 litres have spilled onto the tarmac, which requires a clean up before they can be open for use.
05:11So, we've organised our terminal cleaners to come and clean up the waste.
05:18It's not the best start of the day for the airport cleaners.
05:21But as soon as workers start to clean up the mess...
05:27Elsewhere on the tarmac, Daniel calls in with word of a bigger problem.
05:32Can I head, Daniel?
05:35Um, I did a bit of a report from Gentile.
05:38Um, there were three, the aircraft got them down and kicked there.
05:41So, part three thing over there are ticking about.
05:44Apparently, it was a, ah, just haul the truck.
05:47Just roll this foot.
05:49Keeping a watch on every nook and cranny of the airport are 3,000 CCTV cameras.
05:54Bill is free, but, yeah, it's gonna have to be a Charlie camera.
05:58And you can see it a bit on 1169 as well.
06:01Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait.
06:03Oh, God.
06:13Oh, no.
06:15You're trying to stop it.
06:16It's already too late. Look at it.
06:18The camera captures the moment another airport toilet truck reverses into a Jetstar plane getting ready to depart.
06:26Looks like one of the vehicles rolled back into one of the Jetstar aircrafts.
06:31Even if there's a scratch, they won't let that aircraft fly.
06:34We'll just have to wait and see.
06:35Let their engineers do the assessment.
06:37They'll, you know, they'll take photographs.
06:39They'll do measurements.
06:40They might have to send it off to Airbus.
06:42You know, the measurements they've got and all that to see what they say.
06:46Aircraft's not going anywhere?
06:47It's turning into one of those days.
06:49In Terminal 2, 20,000 international arrivals are expected to pass through Border Force today.
07:11Some of them intent on bending the rules.
07:13Border Force Supervisor John is one of 85 Australian Border Force officers ready to catch them out.
07:21I've been here for almost six years.
07:24But I've been with the department for 21 years.
07:28I've done all three major roles of the airport in terms of Australian Border Force.
07:32Immigration, Enforcement and now Facilitation.
07:35Adam, next time, put the kids through first.
07:38Sorry.
07:39It's good.
07:40It keeps me on my toes.
07:41My current role is putting spot fires out.
07:43Yeah, I work with a really good bunch of people.
07:45It's like a big 85-person family as such.
07:49So, you know, it's good.
07:52Border Force officers ensure inbound passengers meet our strict customs and biosecurity laws,
07:59including the possession of prohibited items and breaches of duty-free limits.
08:05Every day, it brings something different here at the border.
08:07You've got people trying to smuggle, you know, native fish from overseas.
08:11You have people trying to import drugs.
08:14On a daily basis, yeah, we're confiscating excess tobacco or prohibited items, knuckle dusters,
08:20laser pointers, you know, imitation weapons, silencers.
08:29Officers are trained to spot anything suspicious.
08:32Just give me one quick second.
08:33One quick second.
08:34One quick second.
08:35Come on, quick.
08:36Look at him.
08:37Just get it.
08:38I am filled out the back.
08:39Yeah.
08:40Yeah, send him laying one.
08:41With 21 years on the job, John's learnt to trust his gut instinct.
08:56Matty, I've got someone coming in.
08:59He hasn't filled in the back of his card, but just upgrade it, please.
09:03Upgrade it?
09:04Yeah.
09:05Just something about him.
09:06Thanks.
09:07You've done how bad the damage is yet?
09:08Let us know when you find out, mate.
09:09Thanks, Brian.
09:1020 minutes after a toilet truck bumped into a Jetstar plane, IOC coordinator David continues
09:24to keep tabs on the situation.
09:26We looked at cameras and we looked at vision and then we got confirmation that yes, a toilet
09:31servicing vehicle had rolled under its own power into the rear of the aircraft.
09:38The Jetstar plane was preparing for a six-hour flight to Bali when the accident happened.
09:43They're going to have to investigate whether the handbrake wasn't lifted up properly, so...
09:54You guys want me to archive the footage?
09:56Yes, please.
09:57No worries.
09:58Archive it now.
10:00The CCTV footage will play an essential role in the investigation.
10:06It's not great.
10:08Obviously, safety will be talking to the driver and will be doing, you know, they'll be doing
10:13drug and alcohol tests on the driver.
10:15And the main thing is the Jetstar engineers will have to check the aircraft to see what
10:20the level of damage is and whether it's suitable for flying or not.
10:25The aircraft, a brand spanking Airbus A321, is due to depart in 90 minutes.
10:37Any delay will cause disruption to David's meticulously planned parking schedule and have serious knock-on
10:44effects to the airline's own flight network.
10:49It'll be up to Jetstar whether they go out or not.
10:52They wouldn't have told him to chase him.
10:54No.
10:55They'd have no idea at this point.
10:56Yeah.
11:01Airside safety officer Daniel arrives to check out the damage for himself.
11:07Hey, buddy. How's it going?
11:08Good.
11:09Daniel.
11:10No damage up there, mate?
11:11Yeah, where's the damage?
11:12It was on the back.
11:13I brought the back.
11:14What's...
11:15Oh, near the bulk draw?
11:16Ah, yeah, righto.
11:17150 mil long?
11:18Yeah.
11:19We're taking it to the hangers straight away, so...
11:20I think the tow is on its way.
11:22That's all I've heard.
11:23Okay.
11:24So, just had a real quick chat to one of the Jetstar engineers.
11:27The damage is quite extensive.
11:29Um, so they've decided they'll be towing that off down to the hangar.
11:33This ding in the fuselage is now a major headache.
11:39Leaving 231 passengers stranded at the gate.
11:43And a stint at the panel beaters that could take the Airbus out of service for weeks.
11:48Yeah, send him lane one.
12:03In Terminal 2, Border Force Supervisor John has suspicions about a passenger.
12:09I've got someone coming in.
12:11Just something about him.
12:13Recently arrived from Macedonia, the man will have to undergo further checks.
12:18Where we looking? Good?
12:20Yeah, some cigarettes.
12:21Hmm?
12:22Maybe possibly cigarettes.
12:24Yeah, we believe there could be excess cigarettes in the other bag, according to the x-ray.
12:29So...
12:30Awesome.
12:31We do have a big tobacco issue at the moment here.
12:35There's a tobacco underworld war happening here.
12:38So, you know, there's a lot of people trying to bring in excess amount of tobacco and vapes.
12:44What was your reason that we're struggling in too massive vapes?
12:47Well, poor thing.
12:48Okay.
12:49Five billion dollars of illegal tobacco is smuggled into the country each year.
12:55And it's estimated as much as a fifth of the entire tobacco market comes from illegal sources.
13:02We have three.
13:03You said you had two.
13:04Four five million.
13:05Four five million.
13:06No sir.
13:07Please take a stand back.
13:08Sir, do not touch.
13:09Final time.
13:10Don't touch the bag.
13:11The procedure is not allowed to touch the bag once we start searching.
13:31So, I think Fadie's got it under control.
13:38Sir.
13:39The duty-free limit for tobacco is just two packets of 25 cigarettes.
13:45So far, officers have found 60 packets in the passenger's luggage.
13:50The gentleman there has excess cartons of cigarettes that weren't declared.
13:55Yeah, it's common practice where they try to rush an officer to get them through the line
14:00along with some, you know, sort of rush tactics or showing that they've only got a certain amount on them.
14:05And they've got, yeah, cartons and cartons.
14:10Aussies have the most expensive cigarettes in the world, with a packet costing upwards of $50.
14:17With a haul here worth as much as $3,000, the concern is it could be sold on the black market.
14:24Don't pack it.
14:27At the moment, it's just tobacco.
14:30But we'll see how it works out.
14:32As the officers continue to search the luggage, they find something much more sus than cigarettes.
14:38What have you found?
14:39When things go off the rails on the tarmac, the pain is felt by hundreds of travellers for hours to come.
14:569.23am.
14:59One hour after a contractor's toilet truck bumped a barley-bound aircraft, 231 passengers are now stranded at the gate.
15:09So we've got an aircraft full of passengers now that we're just trying to find a replacement aircraft.
15:13While the accident wasn't the airline's fault, the ground crew are the ones who have to cop it from frustrated passengers.
15:21Is that going to happen?
15:24We're just waiting on a good plane to come in.
15:27So we're just about to organise some vouchers for passengers to grab a coffee.
15:31We're making some announcements, keeping them updated.
15:33And as you can see, fielding some questions from passengers who are obviously a bit frustrated now.
15:38They're suffering a delay.
15:40This is absolute crap. Seriously.
15:42When they say safety, they do nothing about it.
15:45They're not worried. The plane coming out of the sky.
15:48But seriously, it's just annoying. It really is.
15:54As airline staff work to find a replacement plane, which is no mean feat in the middle of a busy flying day,
16:01there's little passengers can do but wait.
16:09Meanwhile in the hangar, engineers study the damage to the Airbus.
16:15So basically, for the lavatory waste vehicle, they come in here at the aft of the fuselage.
16:20This is just behind the aft bulk cargo cutout for the door.
16:25As they've come in to service the aircraft, the top of the trucks made contact with the bottom of the fuselage skin there, causing the gouge.
16:34The ding may not look like much, but the 20 centimetre scratch could cause serious strife if left unrepaired.
16:44We could have a skin rupture and cause a blowout of the fuselage.
16:49A blowout of the fuselage can cause sudden depressurisation.
16:55But in aviation, safety is king and engineers won't leave anything to chance.
17:02It was a shame that this aircraft is so young and has suffered an impact like this.
17:06But rest assured, we'll get it repaired and ensure that it is safe.
17:09In Terminal 2 arrivals, John's hunch about a passenger has led to a thorough 90-minute search of his luggage.
17:24So far, officers have found 60 packets of cigarettes, more than 30 times the duty-free limit.
17:32But things are about to get more serious.
17:38What have you found?
17:41And that's a prohibited item?
17:42Prohibited item, yes.
17:43So all his shoes dry.
17:45Okay.
17:46So it's gone up from excess tobacco to a prohibited item.
17:50They've found a taser in his bag.
17:52You do not have to say or do anything, but anything you do say or do may be recorded and may be used to get this.
18:00Do you understand?
18:02Tasers are one of many weapons prohibited in Australia.
18:07In Victoria, the maximum penalty for possessing or using one is two years in prison.
18:14Yeah, so they have to repack all of the belongings into the bag and then move the examination into a room to be recorded under tape.
18:22You're just going to bring the bags in the sockage.
18:24Just in case there's something else in the bag that is prohibited.
18:28It started off with tobacco, then it ended up with a taser, so they'll check the lining of the bag, maybe there's something else as well.
18:35At the Border Force checkpoint, John's instinct about a passenger has proven right after multiple cartons of tobacco and a taser were found in his luggage.
18:54So the examination's concluded, he's out of the interview room now, so he's just being processed over there.
19:01He'll be given a seizure notice for the items that have been seized.
19:04So I do believe that there were a few more prohibited items that were located during the examination.
19:11Have a quick look at that.
19:12Oh, wow.
19:13We've got some tasers.
19:17We've got three of that type and a two-pronged one.
19:23And then they found this that appears to be a signal jamming device.
19:30It's used to block any radio signals, any mobile device signals.
19:37And again, prohibited import.
19:39He claims that he had no idea what it was for and he uses it for his blood pressure.
19:45This information will be shared with other external agencies, because it might be part of a bigger investigation.
19:51Could be a missing link somewhere.
19:53Could be bringing it in for some organised crime, gangs and whatnot.
19:57So, yeah, it's just another piece of the puzzle.
20:02After two decades on the job, John's nose for trouble is as strong as ever.
20:08My hunch was right.
20:09Still got it.
20:10Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
20:11Just a further announcement for customers travelling through to Jetstar Bali.
20:14Their new operating aircraft has arrived at New Zealand, currently on the bay.
20:15Three hours after the Bali flight was due to leave, Jetstar staff have moved mountains to find a replacement plane for the stranded passengers.
20:41Better late than ever.
20:44On the flight deck, the pilots ensure they have enough fuel for the four and a half thousand
20:50kilometre flight to Denpasar.
20:52We're getting 20 tonnes of fuel.
20:53We're up to 19,000.
20:54So, in about five minutes, we should be fully fuelled up and ready to go.
21:07With both aircraft and pilots fuelled up, JQ-43 is finally ready for departure.
21:15We've got a green light.
21:16We're good to go.
21:17Bye.
21:18For everyone involved, it's the end of a tough morning.
21:26Yeah, there's a lot of parts involved.
21:29Everyone works really well together.
21:31We just try and get it sorted as quickly as possible.
21:34The aim, obviously, is to try and get the customers, you know, away as quickly as possible,
21:39and also to make sure the bay allocation doesn't impact any other aircraft operating.
21:44Every 24 hours, around 100,000 passengers pass through Melbourne Airport's four terminals,
22:04all of them arriving or departing by road.
22:08Copy all staff in the express line, keep moving all this traffic.
22:12Thanks, you guys.
22:133.20pm.
22:15Overseeing the start of the afternoon peak hour is parking security manager Tariq and his team,
22:22who are in charge of traffic operations.
22:25So, I'm, as a duty manager, look after the whole operation like three major components,
22:33traffic, customer service and car park operation.
22:37Hi, guys.
22:39We are expecting 108,000 passengers today.
22:43The major thing we are focusing on are touting, OK, today.
22:46We need to remove them from the precinct for the safety of the passengers.
22:52Taxi touters are illegal drivers who rip off unsuspecting passengers by charging hundreds of dollars in fares.
23:00They're taking passengers without a booking and they're charging way more than what they're supposed to be.
23:10So, we'll start with T3 first.
23:12Safer point something there.
23:13Yeah.
23:14This afternoon, enforcement officers Peter and Harry are running a major operation to catch the dodgy drivers.
23:23So, it is a 24-7 operation.
23:25We usually tackle the busiest time because there's a lot of international domestic flights and that's a good time for them to tout.
23:32So, you should go through express.
23:33Yeah.
23:34And I'm going to go through T2 arrivals.
23:36All right?
23:37Oh, good. I'll see you down from there.
23:38Done.
23:39Hi, gang.
23:40It's Peter from Militial Security.
23:41Do you have an idea on you?
23:42Yes, Peter.
23:43Can I please see?
23:44And it's valid.
23:45And do you have a booking?
23:46Yes.
23:47Can I please see the booking?
23:48Yes, sir.
23:49Can I please see the booking?
23:50Yes, sir.
23:51All right.
23:53So, I'll check if he had a valid LDA, which means Landside Drivers Authority.
23:59He did have a valid one.
24:01So, he passed the test.
24:04Also keeping a watch out for touters is Wally, who scans the terminal's CCTV cameras.
24:13That's the one.
24:14As we can see now, he's asking the people as he's walking for a fare.
24:19He is heading towards the international arrival.
24:26Copy. We're heading there.
24:28So, this is the guy here.
24:30How are you going?
24:31Hi.
24:32Do you have an LDA on you?
24:33I still have to pick it up.
24:34My LDA.
24:35Yeah, but how are you operating at Malibu Airport with no LDA?
24:38What do you know?
24:39I don't have a booking, but...
24:41Yeah, but you don't have a booking because you're being observed on camera.
24:44The last 15 minutes, I tell them why I'm touting.
24:46I just came at the airport only five minutes ago, sir.
24:48I understand that, but you've been down there touting.
24:50So, we have you on camera that you've been touting.
24:53So, what he did, he was approaching customers and he asked them and he was speaking to them,
25:00which is unusual if you don't know someone to start speaking to other people for no reason,
25:05which indicates to us that he's a touter.
25:07So, now we're just going to go to his vehicle and find out where exactly he is parked,
25:11so we can grab his registration.
25:13So, every time he comes to the airport with the same vehicle,
25:15we're going to be getting a notification alert on him.
25:18All right.
25:19You have no LDA, but how come you have a permit?
25:22Sorry.
25:23Can I remove this one?
25:24I need to confiscate this permit.
25:25It's a bad outcome for the touter, but his day is about to get worse.
25:30Parking and disabled first.
25:31So, just book him for parking and disabled because he doesn't have any disabled sick on the car.
25:35OK.
25:36Have you taken a photo?
25:37Hari finds the driver $210 for parking in the disabled space.
25:42We need the permit, please.
25:44We can go ahead and call the police and work it out from there.
25:47So, it's up to you.
25:48Yeah.
25:49After handing back the parking permit, the driver leaves,
25:52now banned from Melbourne Airport for one year.
26:03It's 3.56pm.
26:05On the forecourt, a major operation continues to rein in dodgy taxi drivers.
26:12He's moving out now towards the public pickup area.
26:15And if you can see that, he's trying to offer them a fare at the moment.
26:19We have received another call.
26:21There is a touter next to the T1 taxi rank.
26:23Now, that's the next target.
26:25How are you going?
26:27How are you going?
26:28So, you're being observed asking people for a fare.
26:32No, I was just waiting for my brother.
26:34Is this your vehicle?
26:35Yeah, yeah.
26:36So, you have left your vehicle being down there.
26:37This is...
26:38You can't leave your vehicle, correct?
26:39Yeah.
26:40I apologise, but...
26:41So, you're not a driver?
26:42Oh, I am, but I'm not driving.
26:44He's denying that he was not touting, but we have a clear footage which shows that he approached
26:49three different customers.
26:51So, you're picking up your brother?
26:52Yeah, yeah.
26:53Are you going to call him?
26:54Yeah, yeah.
26:55He said he was going to come out.
26:56He was going to come out?
26:57Yeah.
26:58All right.
26:59Which flight?
27:00He was coming from...
27:01Sydney.
27:02You don't know where your brother's coming from?
27:04He's coming from Sydney.
27:05Sydney?
27:06Yeah.
27:07So, your brother's inside?
27:08Yeah, yeah.
27:09He's coming.
27:10Now, he's claiming he's here to pick up his brother.
27:15Now, we are waiting for him, basically, to see whether what he's claiming is correct.
27:20I believe he is definitely lying to us, but let's see how we go.
27:26Are you usually a taxi driver or VHT driver, limo driver?
27:29Usually, what's the approach?
27:31Even you are Uber driver.
27:33Uber?
27:34Are you Uber driver?
27:35Yeah, Uber driver.
27:36Fair enough.
27:37If your brother comes here and confirms that, as you said, he's coming out.
27:40Yeah.
27:41We're happy for you to go.
27:42There's no issue.
27:43But, if you're operating illegal, I'll be honest with you, it would be better for you
27:46to say, yes, I was looking for an affair and move on.
27:48No.
27:49We are calling federal police now.
27:50Next step.
27:51Okay?
27:52So, if you prove wrong, there is a next step as well.
27:55So, can you tell me what's going on?
27:56I'll go.
27:57All right.
27:58Can you tell us what's happening?
27:59So, you were looking for an affair?
28:00Yeah.
28:01So, I've been here talking to you the last 15 minutes.
28:02Yeah.
28:03You've been lying to me about your brother, which I know the truth, but you've been denying it.
28:06Sorry.
28:07Yeah.
28:08You're a commercial driver, you're ordering a Uber, and you're doing something illegal
28:11at Melbourne Airport.
28:12Okay.
28:13I was wrong.
28:14So, what's going to happen, there's going to still be a suspension on the Uber, because
28:19if you were being honest from the start, I might give you a warning and move on.
28:23All right.
28:24Get in your car and move on, please.
28:26So, he's been given an infringement for leaving his car unattended in the pickup area.
28:31Also, he's going to receive six months suspension from the Uber account.
28:37After that, Uber is going to consider if they're going to give him his account back.
28:42It's tough luck for the driver, but a home run for Tariq and his team.
28:47Copy that.
28:48Who are committed to keeping the roads of Melbourne Airport safe and fair for everyone.
29:03Twice the area of London's Heathrow Airport, Melbourne has a total of 85 aircraft parking
29:10bays.
29:11Beneath the tarmac, an intricate system of pipes carries aviation fuel to each bay.
29:21Known as fuel pits, refuelling trucks connect with the underground pipes, which can then pump
29:283,000 litres of fuel a minute to an aircraft's tanks.
29:374.15pm.
29:40Airside Safety Officer Daniel continues his patrol of this supersized servo.
29:45Coming to Melbourne, I've come to realise that you can get four seasons in one day.
29:51Always, always have an umbrella handy.
29:54There's a little tip for everyone.
29:56Oh, here we go.
29:58Car three, this is Daniel.
30:00Delta 11, I'll head over.
30:03Thanks, mate.
30:07So, we've had a report of fuel coming up from a pit on bay Delta 11.
30:14So, aviation fuel, obviously highly flammable.
30:18And if it is pouring out onto the apron, it creates a major hazard.
30:25Hey, mate, how's it going?
30:28What?
30:29Is it still coming out, is it, or...?
30:30Oh, no, it can't go.
30:31It's black.
30:32We think that's from you, we don't know.
30:33Yeah, you can definitely smell it.
30:36Fuel is seeping out of cracks in the apron, posing a concerning safety risk.
30:42But closing the bay during the afternoon peak will cause major scheduling headaches.
30:48Tango 1, Car 3, yeah, just on site at the moment.
30:52So, it is coming from one of the fuel pits.
30:55It's not coming from the main bent area.
30:58It's kind of coming from around the sides.
31:00I think there's actually a bit of a leak coming through the cracks.
31:03Vehicle Bill, get you on the way.
31:05The integrated operations centre calls specialist fuel engineers to investigate the leak.
31:16Meanwhile, Daniel continues to assess the danger.
31:20Yeah, so, I think, yeah, it's obviously coming from the side.
31:24With the risk of ignition, the immediate concern is for the safety of staff and the plane.
31:30Are you guys happy to continue aircraft operations?
31:33It's not going heavily.
31:35We're just about done here.
31:37Yeah.
31:38Probably get them to push back.
31:40Yeah.
31:41So, we'll probably need to get locked out for that.
31:45Although the first priority is safety, Daniel is also concerned about fuel leaking into the airport's drains.
31:54Alright, you don't know if any of us have gone down the drains?
31:56No.
31:57Potentially?
31:58I'll go over and have a look.
31:59Potentially.
32:00Potentially.
32:01So, down here, busy wearing like a bit of a leak where the pavement is deteriorated in the ceiling.
32:06So, what we're concerned about is any ignition sources.
32:10Hey, Rod, when do you get a chance?
32:12We'll just get the airport sweeper to go over it.
32:15We'll do, bud.
32:16Safety is number one concern and preservation of life.
32:21And when you think about it, these aircrafts, they're full of fuel at the moment.
32:25So, one little ignition source could be the end of it.
32:36One hour after fuel was found leaking through cracks in the tarmac, the race is on to make the base safe before the evening rush hour.
32:46Yeah, so, at the moment, we've got the Melbourne Airport sweeper out.
32:49So, what he's doing is he's going around the open sucking up all the excess fuel and it's also eliminating the ignition source.
32:57Hey, Rod, how's it going?
32:58We've just got a fuel leak coming from one of these vents.
33:10Can I just get you to remove the freight?
33:12Thanks, man.
33:13Just as a precaution, I'm just going to get them to remove the freight just so when the contractor gets in here, they've got complete access to the pit.
33:24With operations on the bay now suspended, the fuel contractors arrive to investigate the source of the leak.
33:31Hey, Rod, how's it going?
33:32Hey, mate. How are you doing?
33:33Yeah, good, thanks.
33:34Yeah, we've just sucked our pit up, see how he's in.
33:36The leak's coming from here.
33:38I'll take care of all of them, mate.
33:47As the pit is drained, fuel can be seen bubbling out from a valve.
33:53I call the headquarters, I'll let them know what the issue is.
33:56They can get workshops to have a look at it.
33:59It shouldn't be too long, yeah.
34:01So, we're trying to avoid closing the bay.
34:04Number 11 here at Melbourne Airport is a very well-used bay, so ideally we don't want to have to close it off.
34:11Closing a vital bay on a busy afternoon will cause grief for hundreds of passengers, and things are about to get worse.
34:20It is getting in the drains fairly.
34:22A little bit?
34:23Yeah, I'll just walk down and you can just see how the...
34:27Yeah.
34:28I just told Rod, he's got a cool tango one.
34:31With the risk of environmental contamination, urgent action is required to contain the spill.
34:40Car 2 has spoken to the IOC.
34:43We've alerted the environmental team.
34:45So, they're going to get involved, and they're going to hopefully go down to the catchment and get rid of that fuel.
34:52As the environmental team gets to work, more engineers arrive to repair the leaking fuel pit.
35:01Thanks for coming out quickly.
35:03Yeah, that looks like the beast that was leaking, wasn't it?
35:07I do.
35:08The problem proves to be a dodgy valve.
35:11All fixed.
35:12All fixed.
35:13Thanks for that.
35:14Um, so it was just a replacement of the valve, yeah?
35:18Yeah, the todo valve.
35:19Yeah, it's okay.
35:20Yeah, okay.
35:21So, the boys hook up to this, with our suck truck.
35:24It's got a poppet, right?
35:26So when they hook up, that poppet's pushed down, which allows fuel to come up.
35:30If that doesn't seat properly, or it's damaged, fuel will leak out of it.
35:35It's not often that we change them, but sometimes they're damaged by the pit leak, hitting the top of it, and then they can't hook up.
35:44And it's usually not so much the poppet, it's usually the top of the valve.
35:48The importance of this is, if you don't have this, the todo valve working in the correct way, you'll have fuel coming out.
35:56With the broken valve replaced, and the fuel spill contained, the bay is now ready for the busy night ahead.
36:04Yeah, G High's been out and rectified that pit, so it is released back to you, all serviceable.
36:10You're a legend, thank you very much.
36:13Yeah, good result in the end.
36:15It's always good to know that whatever we do out there, our work's appreciated.
36:19Sometimes that little pat on the back really helps you throughout the day.
36:23Keeps you doing what you're doing, and loving what you're doing.
36:34With its two runways open around the clock, flights can land at Melbourne Airport any time of the day or night.
36:47Air side false, Brad.
36:49Including unplanned diversions.
36:5210.33pm.
36:55In the Integrated Operations Centre, word comes through of a mysterious flight arrival.
37:01Thanks, mate.
37:02They don't know why, they don't know what's on it, they don't know its passengers, they haven't got that information yet.
37:06The only information the team has is that the aircraft is an historic Soviet-era freighter.
37:1354 years old, that aircraft, happy days.
37:16What could go wrong?
37:28At Melbourne Airport, the night shift prepares for the unplanned arrival of a very unusual aircraft.
37:35It's an Antonov, and it's just across Victorian border, so...
37:38An Antonov?
37:39Yeah, they've been notified it's civilian or Melbourne, but they don't know why.
37:41Which one? The one, two, four?
37:43It's the 12, A and 12 Bravo Heeler.
37:45Oh, okay.
37:46Alright, let me have a look.
37:48For self-confessed avgeek Andrew, looking out for unusual planes is his dream job.
37:54I love aviation, I love aircraft, so working in here I get to do plane spotting and get paid for it, so it's great.
38:02The diverted aircraft is an Antonov-12, a vintage Soviet-Ukraine freighter en route from Perth to Christchurch.
38:15Just looking at the registration online, and we found that originally the aircraft was actually owned as part of the Soviet Union Air Force, so that's telling you how old the aircraft is.
38:24So, yeah, interesting one for the night.
38:28A relic from the Cold War, the military freighter can carry up to 20,000 kilograms of cargo, or 100 paratroopers.
38:38But the reason for the Antonovs diversion is still a mystery.
38:43It's not unusual to get diversions into Melbourne, we'll get diversions.
38:47The unusual thing at the moment is we don't know why it's coming here, so we haven't got notification.
38:52And it's not an aircraft we generally get.
38:55An Antonov-12s, there's not that many flying around anymore, around Australia anyway.
39:01Problem is, it's a busy night at Melbourne Airport.
39:05It's chockers on the tarmac.
39:08And the Antonovs, such an unusual plane, no-one is sure if it will even fit.
39:15All our bays are basically designed around aircraft-type compatibility, based on fuel pits, light poles, the size of the aircraft, where everything parks.
39:23So, the fact that we haven't done a design concept on this particular aircraft type means we just want to make sure that when it comes in,
39:29if we don't have a tow bar to push it back, whether it can actually power out and turn around and power out on that bay.
39:34Car 2 Sierra 1, sorry, just got an update.
39:36At this stage, we don't have an available bay that's marked up for it that we can see.
39:40We're going to park it on Hotel 2 Alpha.
39:43It just landed?
39:59It just landed?
40:00Yeah.
40:01There you go, let's have a look.
40:03With over 1,200 Antonov-12s built, the freighter is no stranger to northern skies.
40:16But for the night crew in Melbourne, its arrival is a rare sight.
40:20And you'll see even the safety officers obviously like seeing different aircrafts.
40:25So, we've got all four cars there.
40:27I don't know the procedures, but I reckon probably don't need four of them, but why not?
40:31Why not?
40:32We all like aircraft, so different aircraft.
40:35We don't actually have a stop bar for this aircraft, so I think they're going to do some guessing as to where it's best suited for the fuel hydrant pumps.
40:42So, there you go.
40:45Yeah.
40:46It's got the gunner position at the front.
40:48I was going to say, is that actually what it was though?
40:51Oh, it's playing an observation thing, isn't it?
40:53It is a bit old.
40:54I'm surprised they're still flying around to be honest.
40:56Built to last, see?
40:57Yeah.
40:58That's right.
40:59Now parked safely on the bay, word comes through as to why the freighter diverted.
41:06Apparently, they're coming in for a fuel stop because they don't have much fuel to Christchurch.
41:11So, it will be just a gas and go.
41:13Gas and go?
41:14Sounds good to us.
41:16The Antonov was scheduled to refuel in Sydney, but had to divert due to severe storms.
41:23Now the concern is if ground staff have the right equipment to refuel and then tow the historic aircraft from the bay.
41:32If they can't get the refueler to refuel it, then it doesn't go anywhere and we've got an aircraft sitting here occupying one of our stands.
41:40You know, we're premium spots at the moment.
41:43We need every bay we can just for our own capacity.
41:46So, when we get diversions like this, it can be difficult to then actually run our own operation.
41:52The refueler's probably never seen this aircraft type before, so he's probably sitting there getting his manual out going,
41:57how do I refuel this?
41:59The most simple things could be the issue.
42:02Yeah.
42:06After speaking with the pilot, Air Safety Officer Tanya has encouraging news.
42:11Because it's quite a unique aircraft, we don't have tow bars necessarily for them here in Melbourne.
42:17So they have their own tow bar, which they can then use to actually push the aircraft back and have it be able to depart from the taxiway here.
42:26After three hours on the ground, the Antonov successfully refueled and continued its flight onto Christchurch.
42:41And the night crew went home with a story of a very unusual visitor.
42:47It's not only a different livery, different airline, it's also a different type of aircraft.
42:52And, you know, we could go years and not see that again or ever.
42:57So yeah.
42:58Yeah, it's cool.

Recommended