Time to squash the rumours and share some facts.

Fact 1.
The reasons that it took 10 months to get the aircraft airborne:
A. When the ATR work team leader arrived at the hanger to start work, it was not in a state to complete the job - both cleanliness, and OH&S issues needed addressing. He went back to France until the hanger was up to standard and he had time available.
B. On second visit, the entire ATR work team came over - they completed the job including checking of the main wing and all bolts. A new tail was fitted and it was checked over by 3 separate engineers and specialist with fancy laser tools. The only reason it did not fly then was that there was a hold up with the CASA approval of the licences of the ATR pilots that were coming out to check the aircraft.

Fact 2.
ATR did send over two test pilots to put the aircraft through it's maintenance verification flight. VARA does not have any pilots trained or approved to conduct the procedures that were required. The aircraft did 2 flights as it required a small adjustment to the pitch trim. Apart from that it passed all of the other requirements.

Fact 3.
The aircraft was flown to Seletar by two VARA line pilots as it was due for its 'C Check' as although it did not have 5,000 hrs on the clocks it was past the 2 year limit. Had it not required this check it would have gone straight back onto the line - following a repaint of the tail.

Fact 4.
From all accounts, the crew that flew the aircraft to WSSL were impressed at how well it flew and did not report any problems with it.

Fact 5.
It is now back on the line and apart from a few small and very MINOR issues which is what you would expect from an aircraft sitting on the ground for over 10 months, there has been no issues with this air frame.

Those are the facts. Lets stop making assumptions about things we don't know or understand.

That is all.

Dubbleyew-eight, you're either trolling very hard or someone's telling you some very wrong information. Best to keep your mouth shut before you sound even more like a fool.

VH-FTS.....

He (W8) is way past making a fool of himself.

ProProp

Facts and knowledge are a rare commodity on PPRuNe. Thank you.

Proprop, Thanks very much for your informative post.
Waaay too much speculation and misinformation in this thread over the past 10mo.

The aircraft fixed and back in service and hopefully steps taken at VARA, modified procedures etc to ensure that this type of incident is not repeated.:ok:

PP - As you say, a well set out collection of the facts.

Well done, by someone who can call a spade a shovel when the need arises.

Happy New year to ya all, and all the best for 2015 and beyond.

Regards, B E.

Instead of bagging him (W8) on his last comments how about answering the first half of his post, regarding WHAT happened to CREATE this mess? :rolleyes:

PP's list of Facts may be well and good now, once the fat lady has sung, but who cares, you're "sweating the small stuff". :ugh:
Why did she sing and how can this same song not be sung again?
There is a history of bad handling and poor CRM, non-adherence of SOPS (or own interpretations of them!), breaking of minima (QLD) etc etc. :hmm:

What has changed to prevent this reoccurring? (honest question)

It's unlikely that those who really know what went on, and are aware of the contributing organisational factors, are going to comment on a public forum while the investigation is still continuing. Until then you'll continue to have Qlink pilots throwing mud and plane spotters speculating.

And VARA FOs fervently defending the company's honor...

More than likely as well...therefore you won't get a true picture of what went on.

"It's unlikely that those who really know what went on, and are aware of the contributing organisational factors, are going to comment on a public forum while the investigation is still continuing."


This is one of the most accurate comments on this thread.

Although, I'd add that they are also highly unlikely to comment once the investigation has been completed.

Typlical politically correct response
 

"It's unlikely that those who really know what went on, and are aware of the contributing organisational factors, are going to comment on a public forum while the investigation is still continuing."

So true, So very true...

Never launch an investigation unless you know the result !!!

The results of which can already be realised: the big boys won't let the facts be scrutinised or a blackeye publicly noticed :ouch: :ouch: :ouch:

Whilst VARA has cleaned up it's act - thx largely to the V safety system & personal - past bad employment is killing a great business model.

They have a huge issue in crewing & the ole Aussie work ethic is hard to find.

I really do wish them well >>> BUT THE ATR IS A 2 CREW AIRCRAFT OPERATING WITHIN A HIGH CAPACITY AOC...

MOST OF THESE INCIDENTS SHOULD OF BEEN MADE IN EITHER A C206 OR A ISLAND IN A CHARTER ENVIRONMENT BEFORE YOU GET INTO SUCH AN ESTEAMED, WELL PAID, PRIVILEGED POSITION...

Really? An ATR job is an "ESTEAMED, WELL PAID, PRIVILEGED POSITION"? In most other countries its an entry level job.

an entry level job
 

but only if you can spell... :ugh: :ugh: :ugh:

Well, it's definitely flying again .. would have been nice to finish it off with a decent repaint of the tail, though ..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B44nnz4CYAAtjy7.jpg

Source: Twitter

Read post 189. It went to Wagga for a touch up before re-entering service.

That picture looks like WGA to me, down by the old Kendell hangar.

Understand the final ATSB report comes out tomorrow with CASA in Bowen Hills today threatening to ground the entire ATR fleet.

If they were going to ground them over that incident, they would have done it a long time ago. Plus it's now on a different AOC with a different maintenance provider.

I thought Casa had all moved from Bowen Hills out to the BN Airport

Think he/she means CASA were at the Virgin Village in Bowen Hills.