Wirraway
31st Aug 2002, 04:28
AAP 13:50
Qantas, Virgin check faulty pumps
August 31, 2002
QANTAS and Virgin Blue were today inspecting Boeing jets to determine if they had fuel pumps with faulty wiring that could spark an explosion.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) alerted the airlines about the 1,200 problematic pumps and issued them with serial numbers to make the checks.
A spokesman said CASA would officially issue an emergency air worthiness directive on Monday, but both Qantas and Virgin Blue were already working to assess the pumps.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States today issued an emergency order compelling US airlines to inspect 1,440 Boeing jets in search of the faulty pumps.
It also passed the serial numbers of the pumps to CASA.
The FAA said the pumps could have a problem with wires that were placed too close to a rotor and could chafe.
It stressed no serious incidents had been linked to problems with the pumps, made by Hydro-Aire Inc, of Burbank, California, and installed in January and April in Boeing 737s, 747s and 757s.
CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said Australian planes affected by the problem included Virgin Blue's and Qantas' new 737s, and any Qantas planes which may have had spare pumps fitted to them.
He said if the pumps remained immersed in fuel there was no danger of sparks igniting fuel vapours and causing an explosion.
As long as the airlines carried extra fuel to ensure the pumps remained covered, there were no safety concerns and any delays to flights in Australia were unlikely, he said.
"Qantas has already put that fuel management process in place," Mr Gibson said.
"They are now, as of today, carrying extra fuel in all of their 737s and applicable 747s to make sure their fuel pumps are covered.
"They have not yet had time to identify whether they have any of the suspect parts, but they think they probably have."
The pumps are located in the centre fuel tank under the fuselage.
Some planes may also have pumps in wing tanks.
The problem was detected on three overseas aircraft that had pumps short out and stop working, giving the crew an indication of low pressure in the tank.
British carrier easyJet sent the pump back to Hydro-Aire on August 12 after the crew of one of its Boeing 737s detected low pressure.
A week later, a Northwest Airlines 747-400 reported a low pressure indication and found the same problem.
A China Southern Airlines 747-400 experienced the same trouble.
AAP
Qantas, Virgin check faulty pumps
August 31, 2002
QANTAS and Virgin Blue were today inspecting Boeing jets to determine if they had fuel pumps with faulty wiring that could spark an explosion.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) alerted the airlines about the 1,200 problematic pumps and issued them with serial numbers to make the checks.
A spokesman said CASA would officially issue an emergency air worthiness directive on Monday, but both Qantas and Virgin Blue were already working to assess the pumps.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States today issued an emergency order compelling US airlines to inspect 1,440 Boeing jets in search of the faulty pumps.
It also passed the serial numbers of the pumps to CASA.
The FAA said the pumps could have a problem with wires that were placed too close to a rotor and could chafe.
It stressed no serious incidents had been linked to problems with the pumps, made by Hydro-Aire Inc, of Burbank, California, and installed in January and April in Boeing 737s, 747s and 757s.
CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said Australian planes affected by the problem included Virgin Blue's and Qantas' new 737s, and any Qantas planes which may have had spare pumps fitted to them.
He said if the pumps remained immersed in fuel there was no danger of sparks igniting fuel vapours and causing an explosion.
As long as the airlines carried extra fuel to ensure the pumps remained covered, there were no safety concerns and any delays to flights in Australia were unlikely, he said.
"Qantas has already put that fuel management process in place," Mr Gibson said.
"They are now, as of today, carrying extra fuel in all of their 737s and applicable 747s to make sure their fuel pumps are covered.
"They have not yet had time to identify whether they have any of the suspect parts, but they think they probably have."
The pumps are located in the centre fuel tank under the fuselage.
Some planes may also have pumps in wing tanks.
The problem was detected on three overseas aircraft that had pumps short out and stop working, giving the crew an indication of low pressure in the tank.
British carrier easyJet sent the pump back to Hydro-Aire on August 12 after the crew of one of its Boeing 737s detected low pressure.
A week later, a Northwest Airlines 747-400 reported a low pressure indication and found the same problem.
A China Southern Airlines 747-400 experienced the same trouble.
AAP