4HolerPoler
21st Jan 2007, 07:48
Makes for a good headline -
:eek: Cabin crew sabotage SAA’s long-haul planes:eek:
It is only a matter of time before an SAA aircraft suffers the same fate as the Helderberg unless cabin crew stop sabotaging overhead warning lights, according to a circular sent to captains of the airline’s long-range aircraft. Two smouldering blankets were found wedged into the overhead lights on two different aircraft earlier this month, the circular said. Cabin crew dislike the “no smoking” and “fasten seatbelts” warning lights because they interfere with their sleep during their rest periods on long-haul flights. The circular, which described the sabotage as “extremely dangerous” and a “criminal offence”, said the blankets had “started to burn” when they were found. The airline suffered its worst accident when the Helderberg, a Boeing 747, plummeted in a ball of fire into the ocean off Mauritius 20 years ago, killing all 159 on board. According to the circular, removing the wiring in the overhead units could lead to short- circuiting behind closed panels. It went on: “Almost all aircraft returning to base recently have had lights where the wiring behind the light had been pulled out.” SAA said this week that culprits could be dismissed. A spokesman denied, however, that blankets had been found burning, despite what was said in the circular. Since last year eye shades had been issued to all cabin crew and the overhead lights were being checked before and during flights.
:eek: Cabin crew sabotage SAA’s long-haul planes:eek:
It is only a matter of time before an SAA aircraft suffers the same fate as the Helderberg unless cabin crew stop sabotaging overhead warning lights, according to a circular sent to captains of the airline’s long-range aircraft. Two smouldering blankets were found wedged into the overhead lights on two different aircraft earlier this month, the circular said. Cabin crew dislike the “no smoking” and “fasten seatbelts” warning lights because they interfere with their sleep during their rest periods on long-haul flights. The circular, which described the sabotage as “extremely dangerous” and a “criminal offence”, said the blankets had “started to burn” when they were found. The airline suffered its worst accident when the Helderberg, a Boeing 747, plummeted in a ball of fire into the ocean off Mauritius 20 years ago, killing all 159 on board. According to the circular, removing the wiring in the overhead units could lead to short- circuiting behind closed panels. It went on: “Almost all aircraft returning to base recently have had lights where the wiring behind the light had been pulled out.” SAA said this week that culprits could be dismissed. A spokesman denied, however, that blankets had been found burning, despite what was said in the circular. Since last year eye shades had been issued to all cabin crew and the overhead lights were being checked before and during flights.