Inspection of all 737s ordered
2007-11-11 13:28
Johannesburg - The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has ordered a full inspection of all Boeing 737-200s, failing which planes will be grounded, CAA spokesperson Phindiwe Gwebu said on Sunday.
This comes after a Nationwide carrier lost an engine during take-off and had to make an emergency landing at Cape Town International Airport last Wednesday.
Gwebu said airlines that had conducted visual inspections were allowed to fly over the weekend.
Technical inspections would begin on Monday and airlines that do not complete these inspections would be grounded.
"Some airlines have started with full inspections, its a business interest and they don't want to have delays," she said.
"We are receiving reports on airlines completing visual inspection as well as full technical inspections, but we can't confirm which ones at this stage."
Gwebu said the CAA expected to receive reports on the inspections on Monday.
Airports Company SA spokesperson Solomon Makgale said: "We are aware of the directive from the CAA and will be assisting airlines as much as we can to make sure they comply."
- SAPA