PLETTENBERG BAYE NEWS - All CemAir’s domestic flights have been grounded for days after the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) found during an audit that the carrier’s aircraft had been serviced and cleared as airworthy by unqualified personnel.
The aviation authority temporarily withdrew the Certificate of Airworthiness (CoA) privileges for 12 CemAir planes on 2 February.
This affected all its domestic flights, including the regular flights between Plettenberg Bay and various major centres across the country.
SACAA spokesperson Kabelo Ledwaba said the practice posed an imminent danger for crew members, passengers, and the public at large, and had a direct impact on aviation safety, as the airworthiness status of the aircraft concerned cannot be confirmed or is questionable.
CemAir, however, refutes the claims, saying that those who serviced the aircraft were qualified.
“The operator is required to submit proof of compliance before the expiry of the prescribed 24 hours or to make a representation and state reasons as to why the relevant aircraft should not be grounded in line with the prescripts outlined in the Civil Aviation Act, 2009 (Act No. 13 of 2009),” Ledwaba said.
He added that since the matter came to light, SACAA had received full cooperation form CemAir and would continue to provide assistance to the operator as far as possible to ensure the matter was resolved swiftly.
“As much as SACAA is fully aware of the effect and disruptions of the suspension on passengers, it is equally important to note that decisions such as these are not taken lightly and are, in fact, in the interests of ensuring that the operator’s safety systems are beyond reproach, and can offer an acceptable level of safety.”
In the meantime, CemAir confirmed in a statement that their team had a meeting with the regulator on Saturday 3 February, resulting in an agreement of steps required to resolve the issue.
Carrier refuting claims
On Wednesday 7 February, CemAir refuted in a statement the SACAA claim that unqualified personnel were allowed to sign off the release to service for the 12 Cemair aircraft affected by the grounding order.
“All aircraft were released to service by duly qualified personnel,” the statement read.
“Following an extensive review of regulation, approved documentation and Transport Sector Training Authority (TETA) standards, we have confirmed that the company authorisation relied upon to release the aircraft to service is valid.”
CemAir further said the engineers concerned had all qualified as avionicians, which is the TETA qualification for avionic trade designation for the aviation industry.
“Further, the engineers concerned met the experience requirements in terms of the SACAA-approved manual of procedures which defines all requirements for the operation of the CemAir aircraft maintenance organisation.”
CemAir said various submissions had been made to SACAA, to which they await a reply.
They added that although all flights remained grounded, they were making alternative arrangements for affected passengers where possible.
“We are working closely with other carriers to accommodate our passengers with minimum inconvenience. Alternatively all passengers can apply for a full refund.”
* More info: CemAir call centre 0861 236 247
Read a previous article: Update on CemAir's flights
ARTICLE: YOLANDé STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
