An article today in the Adelaide Advertiser says that a Qantas aircraft flying from Perth to Adelaide was given approval to fly with what is described as “a bit missing”.
A passenger, who has worked in the aviation industry and did not want to be named, said a fibreglass cover on the wing was missing on flight QF592 on Tuesday night, adding, “It scared the hell out of me.” “It gave me sweaty palms,” he said.
“I was seriously thinking about getting my wife and kid and getting off the plane.” “You just don’t take risks.”
The man who said the cover, a 2m-long piece, called a cowling, reduced wind resistance and protected the engine, said that he asked two flight attendants what was going on, with one telling him that it had been like that for a week.
The passenger said that pilot apparently told passengers not to worry about it.
The passenger also said that electrical wiring to cabin lights had been missing a protective covering.
A Qantas spokesman confirmed the plane was missing the cover but said it was “safe and certified”, adding, “The aircraft sustained damage to an aerodynamic fairing.” “This had been removed for repair and the aircraft is safe and was certified (to fly) with the fairing removed.”
Earlier this year, a Qantas flight with 408 passengers on board, travelling from Singapore to Frankfurt, flew with a 3m hole torn in its side in, caused by a tyre blowing on the aircraft.
Aviation Safety Investigation Deputy Director Julian Walsh said the Australian Transport Safety Board had been notified of the missing component but the aircraft had been given an engineering authorisation to operate.
Report by The Mole from The Adelaide Advertiser
