Australian Licenced Aircraft Engineers Association
Media Release
Thursday 12 November, 2009
Urgent investigation into Qantas safety standards needed
The union representing Qantas engineers has today demanded an urgent investigation into
the airline’s safety standards, amidst growing concerns around the outsourcing of
maintenance work.
The call follows revelations a Qantas plane on route from Brisbane to Melbourne on
Tuesday was forced to return to Brisbane airport due to an uncontained engine failure.
The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA), which represents more
than 1500 aircraft maintenance engineers at Qantas, said an examination of the plane’s
engine revealed it was in urgent need of replacement.
ALAEA Federal Secretary Steve Purvinas said the incident underlined the need for a full
investigation into Qantas’ engine maintenance standards by the aircraft safety watchdog the
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
“When an aircraft’s engines fail it is a serious incident and one that warrants serious
investigation,” Mr Purvinas said.
“The in-flight shutdown caused by the non-contained turbine disintegration not only caused
the loss of one of two engines of the 737 aircraft it also damaged the flight critical horizontal
stabiliser. This isn’t an incident that should just be brushed aside.
“The pilots involved made a safety critical decision to turn the aircraft back that in hindsight
was absolutely essential to the safety of all those on board QFA637.
“The ALAEA is today calling on CASA and the ATSB to launch an immediate investigation
into this incident and conduct a full audit of all Qantas engines to ensure the safety of the
flying public and Qantas crew.”
Mr Purvinas also said the incident underscored the union’s concerns around the outsourcing
of maintenance work.
“What we do know about these engines is that their maintenance has been outsourced to a
facility that has poor record when it comes to reliability,” Mr Purvinas said.
“Critical maintenance should be maintained to a set standard not a set price.”
The union has called on Qantas to bring all maintenance back in-house.
For more information contact:
Steve Purvinas, 0400 071 505
Paul Cousins, 0419 637 862
Alana Mew (EMC), 0423 377 567
NEWS 
