Airbus eats Paperwork
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: NZNS/YBBN
Jetstar and Aerocare, which manages ground crews in New Zealand, released a notice saying engines must not be used for the placement of any foreign objects.
On Tuesday, a Jetstar spokesman said while the incident "didn't impact the safe operation of the aircraft, we take it very seriously".
"Since this occurred we have updated our procedures which includes a specific warning about not placing items in the engine cowling and improved detail around checks and responsibilities of the aircraft dispatch process."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/trave...lipboard-scare

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: At work
There is a lot about this incident that concerns me. However if we put aside the fact that it happened, why the hell did the Captain have to do all the leg work to find out the details from various sources. Surely Jetstar has an operations centre that should have bent over backwards to investigate and inform the crew what had happened. How does it make it better to impede the Captains ability to make a sound decision but not proactively giving him/her all the details up front?
I had heard Jetstar don't have ACARS, but surely they have a bloody sat-phone? Or is it just an old HF patch?
I had heard Jetstar don't have ACARS, but surely they have a bloody sat-phone? Or is it just an old HF patch?

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 14
From: Australia
Jetstar definitely do have ACARS, Sat Phones only on the new A321’s and yes a very annoying HF patch.
Unfortunately it’s not uncommon to have issues trying to get through to Maintenance Watch which may have happened in this case
Unfortunately it’s not uncommon to have issues trying to get through to Maintenance Watch which may have happened in this case

Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 602
From: Dark Side of the Moon
In his case they were having to converse with the Company on HF which is hard to do at the best of times. Also the real-time engine data isn’t controlled by Jetstar and has to be sourced from Qantas so takes forever.


Joined: Sep 2002
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 637
From: Great South East, tired and retired
The pilot checklist will be amended to read:
Before Starting Engines:
*Ask ground crew to hold up their clipboards, and conduct a count of those who do not have a clipboard showing.
*If the count is Zero, proceed with engine start.
Before Starting Engines:
*Ask ground crew to hold up their clipboards, and conduct a count of those who do not have a clipboard showing.
*If the count is Zero, proceed with engine start.

Joined: Mar 2005
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 6,563
Likes: 953
From: Aus
The engine damage was caused by silica gel dessicant bags which were accidentally left inside the air intakes for the port engines. When the take off run was initiated, the gel bags were unfortunately sucked through the engines and caused major internal compressor and combustion chamber damage.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 0
From: London, New York, Paris, Moscow.



Joined: Nov 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,150
Likes: 744
From: UK
Everybody involved around an aircraft should keep aircraft servicability in mind, and if something odd is noticed, they should bring it to the crew’s or push chief's attention. Over the years, I have occasionally been called out by a loader to check a hold door, or an oil/hyd leak, and I never mind checking.
The incident in this thread reminds me of the BA double cowl unlocked incident.
What ever happened to:
“Ground from flight deck, can I have your checks please?”
“Yes flight deck; all equipment removed, all hatches and holds secure. All intakes clear, beacon rotating, tug connected, chocks removed, standing by”.
?
The incident in this thread reminds me of the BA double cowl unlocked incident.
What ever happened to:
“Ground from flight deck, can I have your checks please?”
“Yes flight deck; all equipment removed, all hatches and holds secure. All intakes clear, beacon rotating, tug connected, chocks removed, standing by”.
?

Joined: Sep 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,435
Likes: 1,202
From: 41S174E
So dispatchers are trained to examine aircraft for serviceability now....

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 46
From: Tent
Surprised passengers did not report confetti.
Surprised the pilots pressed on for a "considerable time" if they had concerns about the engine that was indicating and operating normally.
- Serious question, What is the procedure for keeping the paperwork dry for the ground crews when it is raining?
Surprised the pilots pressed on for a "considerable time" if they had concerns about the engine that was indicating and operating normally.
- Serious question, What is the procedure for keeping the paperwork dry for the ground crews when it is raining?

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 267
Likes: 19
From: Dunnunda
Serious question, What is the procedure for keeping the paperwork dry for the ground crews when it is raining?



Joined: Jul 2013
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 5,682
Likes: 3,346
From: Everett, WA
Sue, modern engines are certified to ingest much larger/harder items than a clipboard - bird ingestion tests are far more challenging.
Perhaps some small deformation of a few fan blades where they impacted the metal clip on the clipboard and some impact damage to the acoustic lining aft of the fan after the big bits got flung outward.
Now, if he'd left a large wrench in the inlet....
Perhaps some small deformation of a few fan blades where they impacted the metal clip on the clipboard and some impact damage to the acoustic lining aft of the fan after the big bits got flung outward.
Now, if he'd left a large wrench in the inlet....




