Flight International online news 11:00GMT: Alaska Airlines is inspecting the jackscrews on its entire fleet of Boeing MD-80s following the launch of an investigation by the US FAA into reports from Alaska mechanics who allegedly found un-lubricated jackscrews.
The airline has confirmed its jackscrew maintenance procedures are being probed by the FAA and as a precaution it is inspecting all MD-80 jackscrews “to ensure proper lubrication”.
Alaska’s maintenance procedures have been in the spotlight since the US National Transportation Safety Board concluded the lack of lubrication on a jackscrew assembly contributed to the crash of an Alaska MD-80 in January 2000.
According to a report in the Seattle Times, three Alaska mechanics reported in January they had found a MD-83 jackscrew with no grease and one of these mechanics reported last week discovering another jackscrew lacking grease.
The Seattle Times report says the jackscrews that were allegedly un-lubricated had been earlier serviced by AAR Aircraft Services in Oklahoma City. But Alaska is denying the jackscrews were not lubricated as required.
“Our internal review indicated that proper steps were taken to ensure the safe condition of each jackscrew about which questions have been raised, and at no point was flight safety compromised,” says Ayer.
BRENDAN SOBIE/LONDON
Source: Flight International
