Air Transat admits engine improperly installed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interactive
• Web Sites: Air Transat
Related Stories
• Transat executive confirms warning from mechanic
• Transat union fears discipline for talking
• Mechanic warned Transat over jet
Canadian Press with Globe and Mail Update
Montreal — Air Transat acknowledged Wednesday that an engine on the jet that ran out of fuel off Portugal was improperly installed.
The announcement follows a Globe and Mail report Wednesday that a senior Air Transat maintenance supervisor told concerned mechanics to proceed with an engine swap on one of the airline's Airbus A330s, despite missing parts, a senior company executive confirmed.
The executive, in an interview arranged on condition that he not be identified, confirmed that the team's lead mechanic initially told his supervisor that he couldn't finish installing the engine because parts were missing.
However, that doesn't necessarily explain why the Airbus A330 ran out of fuel and had to make an emergency landing on Aug. 24, said airline spokeswoman Seychelle Harding.
Air Transat replaced one of the A330's two engines at its Montreal maintenance centre five days before the aircraft carrying 304 people to Lisbon from Toronto ran out of fuel and glided safely to an island airstrip.
Ms. Harding said the engine delivered by manufacturer Rolls Royce was missing a hydraulic pump. Mechanics decided to install a pump from another engine model even though Rolls Royce had recommended against it, but hadn't issued a mandatory warning not to mix engine parts.
Since the incident, Rolls Royce has issued a bulletin saying such a pump must not be installed in that type of engine, Ms. Harding said.
Ms. Harding said there is still no proof the installation caused chafing of engine parts that led to enormous loss of fuel over the Atlantic.
In Ottawa, Peter Coyles, a Transport Canada spokesman, said, "We are aware of the reports of the admissions by the company today. We are following up on this very serious matter."
He said Transport Minister David Collenette will make a statement Thursday "regarding further action."
Interactive
• Web Sites: Air Transat
Related Stories