Cape Town | Thursday
A CARGO compartment smoke warning light and landing gear that failed to retract were among reasons that forced a total of 13 South African Airways planes to return to the airport after take-off during the first five months of this year.
This is according to Public Enterprises Minister Jeff Radebe, who — in a written reply, tabled on Thursday, to a parliamentary question –declined to make a statement on the matter.
The minister did however supply details of the incidents, which all took place ”after take-off from any airport in South Africa” between January 1 and May 31 this year.
These details include the reason for and the nature of each of the 13 incidents.
In Radebe’s reply, the ninth incident is described as ”number two left-hand leading edge flap drive motor failed”, and explains that the ”flap drive motor (was) confirmed defective in workshop. Internal electrical relay failure”.
In incident number six, the ”landing gear failed to retract”.
Investigation found the ”landing gear down-lock pins not removed prior to departure”.
Incident number 12 resulted in an emergency descent for the aircraft involved.
This stemmed from a ”number one engine bleed fault indication, followed by number two engine bleed fault indication, resulting in both air-conditioning units rendered inoperative”. No further explanation is given.
Incident 13 involved a cargo compartment smoke warning 30 minutes into the flight. However, ”ground inspection revealed no evidence of smoke or burning in cargo compartment”. – Sapa