Qantas safety under investigation

Calcutta News.Net
Sunday 3rd August, 2008

Australian civil aviation officials have announced an investigation into publically owned Qantas airlines, after three mid-air dramas in the space of two weeks.

The investigation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority was announced after flight attendants and other staff asked Qantas officials for an assurance that their planes were safe.

Qantas has a good safety record, having never lost a plane to an accident.

Unfortunately, recent incidents including a mid-air blast that ripped a large hole in the fuselage have led to questions being asked of management.

On Saturday a Qantas Boeing 767 bound for Manila was forced to turn back to Sydney after developing a leak of hydraulic fluid while in the air.

Last Monday, a Qantas 737-800 was forced to return to Adelaide after a landing gear door failed to retract.

Civil aviation officials will look at Qantas safety systems and make extra checks to ensure maintenance procedures are being followed.

In recent years, Qantas has gone through major changes, including increased outsourcing of maintenance by the airline to centres in Asia.

Recent incidents involving outsourcing included one where flight attendants were receiving electric shocks in a galley due to faulty wiring and another where emergency lighting failed to work properly.

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