flights operating while jetstream 41 turboprop aircraft are grounded
AIRLINK STATEMENT
Airlink regrets to announce some changes to its normal flight schedule and apologises to its customers for the inconvenience this may cause over the next few days - coming especially as it does on Christmas Eve.
The safety of our passengers, crew and equipment is our top priority. Yesterday evening, after consulting with the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), we decided to immediately ground our entire Jetstream 41 fleet of turbo-prop aircraft. As a result, we have had to reschedule some flights using our other aircraft and additional aircraft that we have hired in.
All of this morning’s services from Cape Town and Johannesburg departed on time. We have made arrangements to ensure that all of our passengers are accommodated and none are left stranded.
Passengers should call our reservations helpline on 011 451 73 50, which will be active from 07.00 Thursday to verify their flight details.
The decision to ground the Jetstream 41 fleet follows the failure of an engine turbine seal plate component which resulted in an aborted take-off incident involving one of our aircraft at Nelspruit yesterday (Wednesday). The failure is similar to that identified by the SA Civil Aviation Authority as a contributing cause in the 24 September Durban accident involving another of our Jetstream 41 aircraft.
While our crews are trained to deal with engine failures on take-off, we share the SA CAA’s view that in light of two such failures in several weeks, that this represents as an unnecessary and unacceptable risk.
The grounding applies specifically to the J41 aircraft. It does not apply to Airlink’s other – and larger - aircraft, which are safe and operating normally.
This maintenance of the engine component is beyond Airlink's control as the selection, installation and maintenance of the turbine seal plate is done by the engine manufacturer, Honeywell, during engine assembly.
The Jetstream 41s will remain grounded until Honeywell and the aircraft manufacturer, BAE Systems, have identified and implemented a remedy.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and support.
Issued by Rodger Foster
CEO and Managing Director
Airlink