1time McDonnell Douglas MD-83, ZS-OPZ: Aircraft hit by difficulties again

A 1time aircraft forced to do an emergency landing earlier this month after an engine failed, experienced engine difficulties again on Monday, the airline said. 

The difficulties were encountered as flight T6 647 from Cape Town started its descent into Durban.

“During cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, cockpit indicators revealed that the left-hand engine had experienced technical problems,” it said in a statement.

Airline spokeswoman Refilwe Masemola later said the aircraft was the same one that had to make an emergency landing at Durban's King Shaka International Airport on August 5 after its left-engine failed.

“This is the same aircraft, but this time it is a different engine. Everything was checked out. This was an unforeseen problem,” she said.

The aircraft was able to safely operate on its other engine and no one was injured.

The SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) could not be reached for comment.

Last time, the plane was going to Cape Town, when it had to turn back minutes after take off.

The runway at the airport was closed for the emergency landing.

At the time, SACAA spokeswoman Phindiwe Gwebu said debris had fallen out of the left engine. 

Story and comments:  http://www.iol.co.za
 
Civil Aviation Authority to examine 1time plane

The Civil Aviation Authority is carrying out a "special investigation" on a 1time aircraft that has experienced technical problems twice this month.

Flight T6-647 from Cape Town to Durban experienced problems with one engine, but was able to land safely at King Shaka International using the other one yesterday.

The airline says the plane is the same one that had to make an emergency landing at the same airport earlier this month.

1time says it replaced the engine and ran all the necessary checks before the plane was allowed back in the air.

The Authority's Phindiwe Gwebu, meanwhile, says a special team is handling the probe.

"They will be looking specifically into this aircraft, and after they are done with their investigation they'll then make a call on whether they need to ground the aircraft itself or whether the problem can be fixed and the aircraft released for flight again. That call will only be made after the investigation is completed."

Story:  http://www.ecr.co.za