CASA press release on Qantas

[Steve Jones]

From the CASA website.

QANTAS safety review actions

CASA wants Qantas to make a range of improvements to the way it manages and delivers aircraft maintenance following a special review carried out by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

CASA has told the airline to produce a plan to address deficiencies in meeting some of its own maintenance performance targets.

At the same time Qantas will examine whether the existing lines of authority and control over maintenance within the airline are delivering the best possible outcomes.

While these actions are under way CASA will be conducting two additional intensive audits of Qantas.

The first will be a full maintenance audit of one aircraft of each major aircraft type in the Qantas fleet – a 747-400, 737-400 and 767-300. This will involve checking all maintenance documentation for each of these aircraft to see it has been completed, as well as physically examining the aircraft on the ground.

The second audit will focus on the effectiveness of Qantas maintenance systems in managing and implementing airworthiness directives. This will identify any weaknesses in Qantas maintenance systems in relation to managing the ongoing airworthiness of its aircraft.

CASA has also called on Qantas to report on how the recent failures to fully comply with airworthiness directive requirements have been addressed.

CASA's deputy chief executive officer Operations, Mick Quinn, says this comprehensive package of action is underway to address emerging problems within Qantas.

“CASA has looked carefully at the Qantas maintenance systems and performance and uncovered signs of emerging problems,” Mr Quinn says.

“The review found maintenance performance within Qantas is showing some adverse trends and is now below the airline's own benchmarks.

“By taking action now future safety problems will be avoided. The wide-ranging package of actions CASA has initiated will prevent any downward trend in Qantas maintenance performance.

“The review did not find any direct links between recent safety incidents, including the 747-400 oxygen bottle failure near Manila, or any increase in the rate of incidents. They were unrelated events - there was no apparent common cause. There has been no increase in the rate of incidents and over more than a year the number of monthly air safety incident reports was about the same.

“Qantas has fully co-operated with CASA at every stage of this review and provided complete access to key personnel, data and systems. The airline is to be commended for its proactive approach to this safety review.

“CASA is confident Qantas will act quickly and appropriately to address the issues and this will ensure Australians can continue to have full confidence in the airline.”

Media contact:
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR9808

[Mark B]

Bit of a kick in the pants. The Qantas media release in response

http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2008/sep08/Q3813

Qantas Statement on CASA Review Latest News
Sydney, 01 September 2008
The Chief Executive of Qantas Airways, Mr Geoff Dixon, said today that Qantas would work closely with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to implement any recommendations contained in its review of the airline's engineering and maintenance operations.

Mr Dixon said Qantas had yet to review CASA's report in detail, having received it only this morning, but welcomed the key findings that:

. there had been no significant change in Qantas' rate of reported incidents over the past two years; and

. there was no direct link between the recent incidents involving Qantas aircraft and that the incidents were unrelated.

Mr Dixon said the findings were consistent with Qantas Engineering and Maintenance having undergone over the past 12 months more than 100 audits by external bodies, including 14 by CASA and one by the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) IOSA program.

"The CASA audits included a two week audit only two months ago which resulted in CASA renewing Qantas' Airline Operators Certificate (AOC) for another three years.

"The IOSA program, recognised as the benchmark for operational safety in the airline community, also gave Qantas a clean bill of health," he said.

Mr Dixon said in its review, CASA had also commented specifically on network performance KPIs and the management structures for delivering maintenance in Qantas.

"As we have publicly acknowledged, certain KPIs and despatch reliability have been significantly impacted by the industrial dispute between Qantas and the ALAEA over past months.

"These issues are not about safety or compliance and we are working to bring our network performance back to the standards which have earned us a reputation as one of the best and most reliable airlines in the world.

"These difficulties, while improving, will continue for a few weeks yet as our policy of safety before schedule is sacrosanct."

Mr Dixon said the management processes and responsibilities between Qantas Engineering and Maintenance and Qantas Airways were consistent with current regulations in Australia.

"However, we understand pending legislation may change these regulations and we will work with CASA to make changes prior to the legislation being enacted if requested.

"We also understand new legislation will make the proposed full maintenance audit of each aircraft type in the Qantas fleet (and all Australian airlines) mandatory."

Mr Dixon said Qantas would engage CASA in a detailed discussion on all issues raised in the review on the basis that:

. Qantas' system of airworthiness checks and performance targets were as rigorous as ever;

. Qantas was the leader in fully embracing CASA's drive for openness in the aviation industry through sharing large volumes of safety information: and

. the average age of Qantas Group fleet, which is 9.3 years, was in line with many of the world's major airlines, with older aircraft maintained to standards that exceeded manufacturer requirements.