Pm's Raaf Jet Damaged In Hangar Incident
 

Wednesday 1 October

PM'S RAAF JET DAMAGED IN HANGAR INCIDENT
Author: Megan Doherty
Publication: CBT (p5, 01-10-2003)
Section: News
An RAAF jet used to ferry Prime Minister John Howard on official business was severely damaged in an incident involving Qantas staff at Canberra International Airport yesterday.

A Defence Department spokeswoman said the 737 Boeing business jet, part of the RAAF's special purpose fleet of aircraft, had significant damage caused to its fin and rudder when it was being towed out of a hangar at 7.30am. Contracted maintenance personnel were towing the plane when it hit an elevated hangar door


No RAAF personnel were involved. The full extent of the damage, likely repair bill and time needed for the repairs had not been determined. A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed that the hangar near the Brindabella Business Park was owned by Qantas and leased to the RAAF.


She also said Qantas was contracted to do maintenance work for the RAAF and the airline was working with the RAAF to ``look at repair options'' on the plane. She would make no further comment. Other planes in the RAAF special purpose fleet are available to ferry Mr Howard on official business.


He was due to fly from Canberra to Sydney last night and to Queensland later in the week.
It is understood the damaged plane was scheduled to take Mr Howard to Bali later this month for the first anniversary of the terrorist bombings but another identical one is still in service. A spokesman for the airport said it had been asked to direct all
inquiries to the Department of Defence.

Gosh Gee what will he do with one of his two personal 737's out of action, maybe he will have to take one of the smaller jets on the arduous flight between SYD CBR then SYD BNE, or even worse still, he may have to settle for business class like the rest of.

POOR JONNIE:{

We could lend you one of the RNZAF VIP King-Airs?!

Thank Gawd it wasn't ex Malaysia Airlines!!!!!!!:rolleyes:


The Spirit (*HIC*) of Australia!:}