TexasFlyer
May 12, 00, 2:49 pm
From the May 13, 2000 Australian
Qantas fails US
repair standards
By STEVE CREEDY
13may00
US regulators have withdrawn approval for Qantas to repair some parts on American aircraft after identifying irregularities in the airline's maintenance and engineering operations.
The US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed yesterday that it had suspended certification for some of Qantas's Sydney-based operations after a routine audit last month.
FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto told The Australian that the suspension applied to Qantas's bearing and seal shop, which works on engine bearings, rotating parts and seals. "That was found to not meet acceptable standards," he said.
"Their certificate has been suspended only with regard to that bearing and seal shop and it was suspended, we believe, on April 20.
"That withdrawal of authority will be reinstated when they show that things are being done as they should."
The embarrassing suspension comes in the wake of a series of technical mishaps and accidents that have rocked Qantas's reputation.
They include a runway overrun in Bangkok last September and an undercarriage failure in Rome three weeks ago.
The FAA suspension applies only to US-certificated aircraft and does not affect work done on Australian aircraft under the auspices of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Airlines seek certification from foreign regulators to allow them to tout for overseas work. Other airlines with FAA certification include Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia.
While the FAA says the Qantas suspension does not relate to flight safety issues, it is an ill-timed blow to the carrier's battle to defend its maintenance and engineering record.
It also provides further ammunition for union officials calling for a Senate inquiry into Qantas maintenance standards.
The airline's problems prompted Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson to organise a meeting on Tuesday with Qantas chief James Strong and CASA director Mick Toller. Mr Anderson emerged from the meeting saying he was convinced there were no systemic safety problems at the airline.
Mr Takemoto said the FAA would conduct another audit to determine whether problems at the shop had been rectified. He did not have details of the problems, which he described as "irregularities". CASA, which has launched its own audit of Qantas maintenance and engineering, is likely to pay particular attention to the shop in light of the FAA concerns.
Mr Toller said earlier this week that it would be unusual if the audit did not uncover some problems. But he said many of the incidents affecting Qantas were the kind that affected all airlines and he did not believe the carrier was experiencing more problems than similar-sized operators.
CASA is also paying close attention to the Boeing 747 severely damaged in the Bangkok accident after an electrical problem prompted it to twice abort a journey to Sydney from Hong Kong last weekend.
Meanwhile, Mr Anderson has hailed an international audit which concluded Australia's air safety system was generally satisfactory, saying it backed up the federal Government's policy of measured change.
The audit last August by the International Civil Aviation Organisation looked at how Australia complies with safety-related standards, recommended practices and internationally recognised procedures. It found that, overall, Australia's aviation regulatory system was comprehensive and had no significant safety deficiencies. However, the auditors made 16 recommendations and noted a number of differences to standard practices in personnel licensing, aircraft operations and airworthiness.
CASA has taken action to address the concerns.
back
Qantas fails US
repair standards
By STEVE CREEDY
13may00
US regulators have withdrawn approval for Qantas to repair some parts on American aircraft after identifying irregularities in the airline's maintenance and engineering operations.
The US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed yesterday that it had suspended certification for some of Qantas's Sydney-based operations after a routine audit last month.
FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto told The Australian that the suspension applied to Qantas's bearing and seal shop, which works on engine bearings, rotating parts and seals. "That was found to not meet acceptable standards," he said.
"Their certificate has been suspended only with regard to that bearing and seal shop and it was suspended, we believe, on April 20.
"That withdrawal of authority will be reinstated when they show that things are being done as they should."
The embarrassing suspension comes in the wake of a series of technical mishaps and accidents that have rocked Qantas's reputation.
They include a runway overrun in Bangkok last September and an undercarriage failure in Rome three weeks ago.
The FAA suspension applies only to US-certificated aircraft and does not affect work done on Australian aircraft under the auspices of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Airlines seek certification from foreign regulators to allow them to tout for overseas work. Other airlines with FAA certification include Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia.
While the FAA says the Qantas suspension does not relate to flight safety issues, it is an ill-timed blow to the carrier's battle to defend its maintenance and engineering record.
It also provides further ammunition for union officials calling for a Senate inquiry into Qantas maintenance standards.
The airline's problems prompted Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson to organise a meeting on Tuesday with Qantas chief James Strong and CASA director Mick Toller. Mr Anderson emerged from the meeting saying he was convinced there were no systemic safety problems at the airline.
Mr Takemoto said the FAA would conduct another audit to determine whether problems at the shop had been rectified. He did not have details of the problems, which he described as "irregularities". CASA, which has launched its own audit of Qantas maintenance and engineering, is likely to pay particular attention to the shop in light of the FAA concerns.
Mr Toller said earlier this week that it would be unusual if the audit did not uncover some problems. But he said many of the incidents affecting Qantas were the kind that affected all airlines and he did not believe the carrier was experiencing more problems than similar-sized operators.
CASA is also paying close attention to the Boeing 747 severely damaged in the Bangkok accident after an electrical problem prompted it to twice abort a journey to Sydney from Hong Kong last weekend.
Meanwhile, Mr Anderson has hailed an international audit which concluded Australia's air safety system was generally satisfactory, saying it backed up the federal Government's policy of measured change.
The audit last August by the International Civil Aviation Organisation looked at how Australia complies with safety-related standards, recommended practices and internationally recognised procedures. It found that, overall, Australia's aviation regulatory system was comprehensive and had no significant safety deficiencies. However, the auditors made 16 recommendations and noted a number of differences to standard practices in personnel licensing, aircraft operations and airworthiness.
CASA has taken action to address the concerns.
back