A good reason to have your ETOPS suspended...

[TSR2]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edi ... 420213.stm

I wouldn't fancy being on a trans atlantic twin without engine preasure gauges. Does anyone have more info?

[DispatchDragon]

Seeing as EPR gauges are part of the ETOPS MEL list
cant think what they were thinking


Leif

[forthbridge]

Was just reading that :o

It will be interesting to see what further news (if any) comes out.

I would personally have thought the pilot would be perfectly entitled to refuse to take command of a non-conforming A/C?

[TSR2]

The PiC should be hauld over the coals for that. From what I hear Globespan are like Ryanair though in terms of how they expect their staff to turn a blind eye, but this is taking the proverbial.

[ianhind]

Yesterday's Sunday Times ran this story - apparently the EPRs on both engines failed just after take off from New York and it continued to the UK - is that allowed?

Then it went back with both inoperative but was grounded at New York on arrival.


Edit - found the story online:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/b ... 999421.ece

[DispatchDragon]

Ian

THe simple answer to that is NO

As I said EPR gauges are ETOPS MEL - If they fail you are classified as non-ETOPS - it doesnt matter where they
fail in the flight - There are a number of MEL items that are ETOPS specific just as there are a number which are
RVSM specific, and both FARS and JARS state that loss of a critical item renders the aircraft immeadiatly NON
ETOPS or NON RVSM qualified. Ben , Im aware of the habit of "back pocketing" maintenance defects to return an
aircraft to base, however if such practices are known even to the general public with Globespan and Ryanair, then the
agency at fault is the DCA of the country where the airline is registered NOT just the airline and crew - If you need more
proof - look at the maintenance shakedown amongst US carriers by the FAA recently.

Leif

[TSR2]

Totally agree Leif. I don't think Ryanair had issues re maintenance, more crew rostering.