SA Airlink Jetstreams back in the air

[Richard from Rotterdam]

from the Cape Argus:

http://www.capeargus.co.za/?fSectionId= ... 444C670482" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Green light for Airlink planes
22 January 2010, 12:17
Related Articles
Airlink back on air

By Louise Flanagan

All of SA Airlink's aircraft were cleared for take-off yesterday.

The SA Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it had fully inspected and passed three of the Jetstream 41s (J41s) but gave the airline the green light for the full fleet of 13 to fly after submissions by Airlink and J41 engine manufacturer Honeywell, and an agreement for final checks on the remaining J41s.

The CAA grounded the J41s from Christmas Eve after a series of incidents, linking two of these - including the Durban crash in September that resulted in the death of a pilot - to the same problem in a Honeywell engine. All the J41s had to be recertified as airworthy.

"The CAA's reinstatement of the J41's certificate of airworthiness is a welcome relief and confirms that Airlink maintains its J41s in full compliance with South African and international regulations and with the manufacturer's prescribed procedures," said Airlink chief executive Rodger Foster.

He said it had been a long process but that customers were now assured of the integrity of the airline's maintenance systems and that its aircraft were airworthy.

He said six J41s were ready to fly and the other seven would be ready for service within days.

Foster thanked customers for their loyalty.

"We will regroup and work hard to restore public confidence in our airline after what has been the most difficult four months in Airlink's otherwise very safe and successful 17-year history."

Airlink is buying four more Embraer 135 twin-jet planes that will be in use by month-end.

Foster said support for cross-border routes was strong but some domestic routes had suffered. Airlink had recently discontinued some routes, and some were being reconsidered.

The CAA is overseeing the implementation of a corrective action plan that was submitted by Airlink last month.

Foster said the deadline for this was January 29 and that Airlink would "comfortably" complete this.

Yesterday the CAA said Honeywell had made a detailed analysis of the technical problems affecting Airlink and submitted a white paper on this.

"The CAA would like to confirm that the analysis and justification presented by Honeywell seems to be sufficient in addressing the safety concerns related to the serviceability of the aircraft engine in question," said the CAA.

"The recommendation of the Honeywell white paper indicates that the safety analysis of aircraft engines installed on the Airlink Jetstream is still within acceptable risk levels.

"Nevertheless, the engine manufacturer has already embarked on a programme to redesign the engine rotating air seal plate on the global fleet in order to further improve the safety levels."

The CAA said mandatory maintenance inspections had been carried out as required by aircraft manufacturer BAE Systems and Honeywell, and that Airlink had been through an "extensive and comprehensive auditing process of huge magnitude" since December and showed an acceptable level of airworthiness compliance.

An Airlink flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar, had to turn back shortly after take-off on Monday due to overheating, the airline said yesterday.

"The Avro RJ85 that departed for Antananarivo turned back shortly after take-off due to the engine intake anti-icing system overheating," spokeswoman Karin Murray said.

"The turn-back related to the expectation of encountering severe icing en route to Antananarivo, and was in the interests of safety."

She said the replacement aircraft encountered a flap problem, and due to the delay, the flight was cancelled.

"Passengers were taken care of with hotel arrangements and accommodated on the next available flight on Tuesday morning." - Sapa