SAA A319 at Johannesburg on Jun 12th 2016, hydraulic failure

A SAA South African Airways Airbus A319-100, registration ZS-SFK performing flight SA-96 from Johannesburg (South Africa) to Ndola (Zambia), was enroute at FL370 about 270nm north of Johannesburg about to enter Zimbabwean Airspace when the crew decided to return to Johannesburg due to a hydraulic failure. The aircraft descended to FL360 for the return, emergency services were requested into their stand by positions, the crew advised they'd not have nose gear steering and needed to be towed off the runway. The aircraft entered a hold to burn off fuel and landed safely on Johannesburg's runway 03L at a normal speed about 110 minutes after departure and was towed to the apron.

A passenger reported the crew indicated the yellow hydraulic system had failed, they'd have no nose wheel steering. The passenger noticed that reverse thrust was not being used during roll out, the brakes were just gently applied.

The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground for about 23 hours before resuming service.

Incident: SAA A319 at Johannesburg on Jun 12th 2016, hydraulic failure