A Mistral Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A on behalf of Alitalia, registration OY-YAB performing flight AZ-1821 from Pantelleria to Trapani (Italy), was enroute when air traffic control informed the crew that a nose wheel had been found on the departure runway and had been identified as belonging to their aircraft.

The crew continued to Trapani, performed a low approach to have the landing gear checked from the ground which confirmed one of the nose wheels was missing, and performed a safe landing.

Passengers were disembarked onto the runway and bussed to the terminal. The Captain and First Officer inspected the nose-gear and returned to the cockpit, requesting a tow to the gate from Ground Control.

Ground Control dispatched a tow, but not before asking the Captain what tune he was humming. It's an old Kenny Rogers song, replied the Captain - "You picked a fine time to leave me, Loose wheel".

Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII