Well, been reported before, but the ATSB report is now out....
Qantas plane flew after alarm
By Tara Ravens
July 31, 2007 03:26pm
Article from: AAP
A QANTAS plane flew from Darwin to Brisbane with a rag on top of a power generator even after it set off a fire alarm and the device was inspected.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report concluded that the flight on October 11, 2006 ahead despite an alarm going off in an auxiliary power unit while the plane was on the ground.
Aviation firefighters who checked the outside of the Boeing 767-336's auxiliary power unit (APU) found no signs of fire but did not examine inside it, the report found.
They advised the crew there was no sign of fire and the aircraft was returned to the departure gate ready to travel to Brisbane.
"The aircraft was returned to service under the provision of the B767 minimum equipment list item applicable for the operation of the aircraft with an inoperative APU,'' the ATSB report found.
Further investigations in Sydney found a burnt rag left on top of the APU had set off the fire alarm.
The rag had been left there during a maintenance inspection at Darwin airport.
Qantas had or proposed a number of changes as a result of the incident, including making it mandatory for an aircraft engineer or aviation firefighter to inspect the relevant aircraft compartment or area where a fire had occurred.
David Cox of Qantas Engineering said the airline welcomed the findings of the ATSB report.
"Qantas has co-operated fully with the authorities and undertaken a full internal investigation into this incident," he said.
"The report shows the crew followed correct procedure at the time, which included the aircraft returning immediately to the airport and the crew using a fire extinguisher."
Report here
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...200605999.aspx
Question remains.... why didn't the "traveling LAME" check the APU compartment??
Yet another question remains.... why hasn't he been subject to disciplinary action?