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Allegations of poor aircraft maintenance probed
The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) has started an inspection of Jetstar Pacific Airlines’ aircraft maintenance procedures following allegations of several failings.
The agency has said it will not arrive at any conclusion on the accusation by the low-cost carrier’s ex-chief engineer Bernard John McCune before the ten-day investigation, launched on November 5, is completed, said CAAV deputy director general Lai Xuan Thanh.
McCune has alleged that JPA failed to follow proper maintenance procedures, including monitoring wing engines, leading to the breakdown of two engines of a plane within one week because of overheating.
The engineer also claimed he once detected an engine of another A320 aircraft (VN-A195) in conditions unfit for use. He reported this to his superiors, but the plane was still allowed to take off and didn’t have the engine replaced until later, he added.
McCune said JPA had ended contract with him because he had raised concerns over the engine and other safety matters.
JPA Deputy Managing Director Daniela Masilli said the airline had always complied with flight safety requirements as well as local regulations, and said there was no evidence to back McCune’s claims.
The engineer was sacked due to shortcomings in his efficiency, according to JPA, which was earlier Pacific Airlines. The name was changed in May last year under a branding agreement with Jetstar Airways - a subsidiary of Australia-based Qantas Airlines.
thanhnien, tt
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