For synchronised flying nothing beats this morning’s Qantas and ATSB spectacular, in which two interim reports by the air safety investigator and one gushy, gushy one from Qantas were released within minutes of each other.
The ATSB report in to the 7 October emergency landing by one of its A330s at Learmonth and the 25 July emergency landing by a ruptured 747 in Manila do not establish any underlying causes as yet.
They will be read in full and revisited in my Plane Talking blog this afternoon.
There is no doubt the ATSB is working hard on these inquiries.
But part of the long standing smoke and mirrors aspect of accident investigation in Australia is that the all ATSB reports are reviewed for their appropriate use of direct language by Qantas and sometimes amended before release.
In today’s coordinated blessing of the flying kangaroo ritual, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said, among other things, that “our approach to safety has not changed in any way and is based on our commitment to the highest standards and practices.”
May the deities save us all if he really means nothing has changed at Qantas.
Early last month Qantas was given an uncharacteristic mauling by the usually complaint Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which said “CASA is not satisfied that Qantas has adequate control of its licensed maintenance personnel and their qualifications.”
This came after it was found employing a second unqualified maintenance worker, and after last year’s debacles including a CASA audit that found its standards in maintenance were slipping.
Note to Qantas. If you don’t correct the miserable attitude to safety and standards apparent in both Qantas and Jetstar in recent years you risk placing your customers in grave danger.
Interesting
PP
Mr Joyce ……….listen to your staff (not your minders). Pilots have been warning of a serious mishap for years because of a drop in standards (cost cutting=executive bonuses).