Scottish budget airline Flyglobespan is to be prosecuted for endangering the safety of passengers after allowing a 757 jet to fly 'illegally' from Liverpool Airport to America with faulty instruments, the Times reports. It will be the first criminal prosecution against a British airline for more than a decade.
The Sunday Times reports that the transatlantic flight is one of a number of alleged safety breaches being investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The regulator is also looking into cases where two aircraft were flown without official clearance after one was damaged by lightning and another was hit by an airport vehicle.
Flyglobespan is owned by Tom Dalrymple, a 63-year-old Scottish multi-millionaire. The newspaper reports that he was interviewed under caution by the CAA in March.
The Times reports that the inquiry centres on a 12-year-old Boeing 757 that flew between Liverpool, Knock, in the west of Ireland, and New York. As the jet was taking off from JFK airport on June 28 last year both its engine pressure ratio gauges failed. The pilot reported the faults when he reached Liverpool.
The plane, which carries more than 200 people, should have been grounded until at least one of the gauges had been fixed. But the airline authorised it to fly back across the Atlantic with neither gauge functioning. The gauges measure engine thrust, which is critical during take-off. They are on a mandatory list of equipment that has to be operational if the 757 is to be certified as airworthy.
When the plane reached New York it was grounded until it was repaired. The problem should have been reported to the CAA within four days but it was left to the American regulator to report it three months later.
It is reported that the airline has admitted sanctioning the flights and has replaced two managers. The newspaper adds that Flyglobespan was last week served three summons to appear before City of Westminster magistrates in July to answer criminal charges of endangering an aircraft and its passengers. The offence carries an unlimited fine.
The Times reports that the wider CAA investigation has looked at allegations that two damaged aircraft were flown for repair late last year without first seeking the necessary permit from the regulator. One had been hit by a baggage vehicle. The other, which suffered a suspected lightning strike, is thought to have made six flights before being repaired.
A Flyglobespan spokesman confirmed that it had been in discussion with the CAA regarding 'some alleged issues from last year's programme'. He said that the airline has since made changes to its fleet, senior management, engineering and reporting procedures and is operating with full CAA approval. |
