AB unable to fix troubled plane

VICTOR MUYAKWABO
Staff Writer | Wednesday August 15, 2012 00:00

 

The probe is being conducted by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and will focus on apparent engine failure.In an interview with Mmegi yesterday, the principal public relations officer at the ministry, Lebogang Nyadza, disclosed that SSKIA does not have the capacity to repair or examine aircraft engines.The 22-year-old aircraft suffered engine failure during take-off at SSKIA with 28 passengers travelling from Gaborone to Johannesburg on board last Saturday.

According to an Air Botswana statement the commander of the aircraft, Captain Adam Kereng, reported indications of a malfunction in engine number two on his flight deck and take-off was aborted in compliance with standard operating procedures for that type of failure.The statement says despite rigid efforts to avoid such incidents, engine shutdowns do happen on all types of engines. It notes that BAe 146-100 is certificated to sustain flight with one engine out, 'which gives it an advantage in that the failure of one engine still leaves three engines available to ensure the safety of the occupants'.

An independent aviation expert says Air Botswana's BAe 146-100 that suffered an engine failure last Saturday is considered a new aircraft and described the engine failure as an unfortunate problem that can occur to any type of aircraft. The local expert praised the pilot for detecting the problem in time and subsequently controlling the troubled aircraft ably.