The Men Who Killed Qantas
 

Qantas passengers exposed to toxic air, alleges book
By Business Editor Edmund Tadros
news.com.au
October 28, 2009 12:00am
A new unauthorised history of Qantas outlines allegations the airline continued to operate a plane despite the airline knowing it was leaking oil / Supplied
Qantas accused of safety lapses in new book
Allegations that crew, passengers exposed to toxic air
Qantas frequent flyers may be alarmed by book
Find out more: The Men Who Killed Qantas
QANTAS allowed a Boeing B747 plane to continue operating for nine months even though it was leaking oil, an unauthorised history of the airline claims.

During this time, a flight engineer was overcome by toxic fumes believed to have been caused by the oil leak.

Repeated inspections failed to find the cause of the problem and the oil was continually topped-up but passengers were never told of the possible toxic air problem, the book alleges.

Engine oil leaks are believed to directly contribute to toxic fumes being pumped into cabin air on older aircraft, the book alleges.


The allegations detailed in the book reveal that between July 2007 and July 2008 there were 31 reports by Qantas crew members concerned they had been exposed to toxic fumes while working on various planes.

The Men Who Killed Qantas states that when asked about the reports, Qantas (qan.ASX:Quote,News) said that "fewer than five claims were submitted by employees" during the 13-month period.


Written by investigative journalist Matthew Benns, the book outlines safety lapses that have dogged Qantas in recent years, including the 2008 incident where an exploding oxygen tank blew a gaping hole in the side of a Qantas jet.

The book also provides details about how a 2006 audit on maintenance carried out in Singapore found the quality of maintenance checks were "heading in a negative direction".

"The book is an alarm bell for the airline," Mr Benns told news.com.au.

"People within Qantas themselves have come to me with their concerns about future of the airline.


"I have spoken to current and former Qantas staff members so it's the full history of Qantas right from the word go and its the version you won't read on their website.

"It has cut 1750 jobs in the last year, paid its former CEO (Geoff Dixon) an almost $11 million golden parachute and sent maintenance of its jets overseas.

"It's not a book about the death of the Qantas the airline but the death of an iconic Australian brand and its reputation for safety around the world.

Qantas hits back

The airline said that its commitment to safety remained at the core of everything it did.

It denied that one of its Boeing B747 was kept in operation despite leaking oil.

"Mr Benns asked about a particular B747 aircraft and we confirmed that oil usage in the aircraft’s APU (auxiliary power unit) in the prior months was always within manufacturer limits," Qantas spokesman Simon Rushton said.

Asked if a flight engineer was overcome by toxic fumes, the airline said there was "no evidence to suggest that cabin air quality is an issue in any of our aircraft types."

"Qantas operates cabin air systems in accordance with manufacturers’ normal operating procedures and complies with all CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) directives regarding air quality across our fleet," Mr Rushton said.

He said that "air quality incidents" were "extremely rare" in Qantas aircraft and maintained that staff had made "fewer than five claims" relating to toxic fumes from July 2007 to July 2008.

"These generally involved small claims for costs associated with doctor's visits and days off work," Mr Rushton said.

He added that the airline used only "reputable overseas providers for some heavy maintenance work".

Around 35,000 copies will be snapped up....:E (wonder if the board is able to read these days?)

We have been lucky to date and no amount of spin changes that. The direction the company has taken is readily comparable to the encroachment of finance/commercial into the launching of Shuttle missions. Have a read of "The Challenger Launch Decision"...

Whether it is a hospital, a space mission or an airline, accountants should be kept well away from operational areas. There is nothing on the qantas board except "money men". Their collective lack of knowledge allowed the executive "managers" (again very light operational experience) to go down the path where the safety and "brand" is levered for all it is worth whilst cutting away at the operational layers that provided the insulation. All the time they profited personally and hoped it never happened on their watch...

Maybe all shareholders ought have a read..

all employees and holders will get a free copy :E hehe.

Just downloaded and read the first chapter free online.

Rushing out the door now to buy the book.

A PPruner's dream.

Look forward to may of the events in the book being debated here!!

Here is the link:

http://www.randomhouse.com.au/editor...as_extract.pdf

Will be interesting to see which Newslink branches at the airports stock it.

Chapter 16 -- Annus Horribilis ................. Something to do with Darth? :E

What a load of nonsense! Is it April 1? I don't think so!
Independent Landing System?...
some one wanna tell me what that is?

What a lot of nonsense?

Because the ILS is not named correctly in this book does that diminish in any way the findings of the ATSB or the report on this incident/accident?

I knew it wouldn't take long for some QF types to start deriding this book, after all, your the best in the universe aren't you? You really gotta wonder just how far some of you people can get your heads up your own arse.:ugh:

Unfortunately the company's idea of a safe airline is no LTI's. The DMM/Supervisor that is forcing you to sign off a dodgy is probably the same one that is on your back about doing some of the countless rediculous eq training requirements. (environmental awareness, competition laws, etc).

Hoof has said:

"Because the ILS is not named correctly in this book does that diminish in any way the findings of the ATSB or the report on this incident/accident?"

Do you realise what you have actually said!!??

I didn't think so!

hold the diatribe. you'd think a book slagging an airline would be able to get its own house in order. glass houses and all. its a glaring error in proof reading.
I dont think the reader was defending qantas and saying how good they were.Most here just want to slag them off. so maybe just hold fire a moment.

Hoofharted, Obie isn't a QF pilot.

Look, we all know that this prang was a complete stuff up!
They stuffed up the approach, the landing and, especially, the evacuation!
But this book is a stuff up too!

uhhmmmmmm yep, I do realise what I have just "asked" and as you don't appear to, I will ask the question again.

"Because the ILS is not named correctly in this book does that diminish in any way the findings of the ATSB or the report on this incident/accident?"

It's really quite simple. "Instrument Landing System", "Independent Landing System", "Indisputably Long Skidmarks", it doesn't matter, the fact is the ATSB report is still a valid one. Get it? :ugh::ugh:

A managers all round the world are slashing and burning to line their own pockets :(.

Safety is the name of the game :ok: All these options to save wear and tear (and in turn ca$h) on the aircraft are there for when the conditions are right and the guys up the pointie end are up for it.

All days are different and all days require different considerations. We do idle-reverse landings most day, some days land with less than full flap, use low or no auto-brake instead. It's our call and if the conditions are right. :)

It's good to read stuff like this to sober ones thoughts.

Geez who farted? Ok who dropped their guts? This thread is beginning to stink! I'm going to clear my sinus and read the book whilst overlooking the Fragrant Harbour ;)

YAWN
 

.......'ho hum.

If the rest of the book is a riveting as the first chapter then it will be a good door stop or cure for insomnia on my next FRA trip. All the stuff about QF 1 BKK has been done to death. Nothing new here!

As for the other chapters?????

I have some chapter headings that the "investigative journo" has missed.

QF69: My PA and me.
QF108:Lies,deceit and more lies
QF777 Divide and Conquer ........the empire
QF96:Management #101-Qantas style
QF78: The Art of Bullying( apologies to Sun Tzu )
QF89:The adventures of Chicken Little part 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,
QF56: Blue vs Red Team. Red vs Gold team.Red vs Red team.
QF999:APA-the Golden Goose that got away-doh !

The author dedicates the book to staff ( very nice-thanks) but take a tip form me buddy.

This ain't half of it!:ouch:

My local ABC shop in Australia has got them in already (less the one I've just bought). Online, Amazon UK are quoting "This title has not yet been released" and the local agent, Random House Australia, are saying 2 November release.

I rather thought that William Heinemann, the publishers, had a reputation as a serious publisher. Not the sort to publish books without a sound background to them. The book seems very properly (and widely) referenced.

Annus Horribilis? - that's this year :)

The Men Who Killed Qantas....?
 

I thought that was Jetstar?

Yep, who needs to write a book, it only needs a cover...just put this bloke on the front:
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/..._470x329,0.jpg

and on the back cover:

http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/S...S8AJdF-GWl.jpg

Too easy!