ATSB starts investigation into Jetstar A321-200NX fuel leak

By Andrew Curran.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has opened an investigation into a fuel leak involving an A321-200NX en route to Denpasar on May 25, 2026.

The aircraft, VH-OFW (msn 11380), was operating Jetstar flight JQ37 between Sydney (SYD) and Denpasar (DPS) when the pilots detected the problem over the South Australian desert.

The crew shut down the number two engine in accordance with prescribed procedures and diverted to Adelaide (ADL).

Flight tracking data shows the jet was around two hours and 20 minutes into the flight, cruising at just over 32,000 feet between Roxby Downs and Coober Pedy, when it changed course towards Adelaide. The aircraft landed safely around one hour and 40 minutes later.

Passengers were transferred onto another aircraft and continued on to Denpasar.

“Safety is our number one priority, and we are working with the ATSB to understand the circumstances around the event,” a Jetstar spokesperson told Aero South Pacific.

The ATSB anticipates a short investigation, with a final report expected later this year.

“The evidence collection phase of the investigation will involve examining aircraft components, interviewing involved parties, examining maintenance records, retrieving and reviewing recorded data, and collecting other relevant information,” the ATSB website states.

VH-OFW spent less than 48 hours on the ground in Adelaide before resuming scheduled passenger flights on May 27.

The ATSB has assigned investigation number AO-2026-081 to the incident.

Photo: Jetstar/FlightRadar24.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com