Plane diversions worry flyer

[nzompilot]

Plane diversions worry flyer

A fault on an Eagle Air Beechcraft 1900D saw another Timaru to Wellington plane diverted into Blenheim this week and has left one frequent flyer concerned about the safety of the planes.

Eagle Airways manager Will Oxley said that because of an indicator showing a possible defect with a battery, Monday's 7.10am flight to Wellington landed in Blenheim, had the battery replaced and flew back to Timaru to fly as the 10.55am flight to Wellington. Passengers at Blenheim were re-booked on the next Blenheim to Wellington flight. The 8:55am flight from Wellington to Timaru was cancelled because of the incident.

The frequent flyer, who did not want to be named, said he was anxious and concerned about the reliability of the 1900D planes. This week's flight was the third he had been on that had had mechanical problems in the last 12 months.

Source: www.stuff.co.nz/marlboroughexpress/4472247a6008.html

[flyjoe180]

Storm in a teacup. All aircraft have small issues, especially high-cycle domestic turboprops. It really is no big deal. The passenger should be thankful they were on a Beech 1900 and not a Bandeirante.

[Bruce]

I know only too well the sort of issues effecting Bandeirantes! Maybe the frequent flyer should take the train if he is worried about safety of the B1900 (a read of TAIC railway reports is an eye opener...) Minor little issues do crop up all the time on these sort of ops, its better that the aircraft diverts and gets the issue dealt with, rather than abusing the MEL as my former employer did.

[nzompilot]

Maybe the frequent flyer should take the train if he is worried about safety of the B1900

Completely agree there Bruce although said frequent flyer might have trouble finding a train from Timaru to Wellington not sure that trains operate south of Christchurch anymore!

[Radialicious]

I was Captain of the flight that diverted into Blenheim on Monday. As such I might be out of line commenting about it on a forum such as this. However it is important for the travelling public to understand that any technical/defect related diversion is done with their safety in mind. In my time I have seen that if the passengers are kept informed, they are usually grateful that we are considering them first. If the problem and the course of action is explained at a clear, basic level, you are often met with appreciation by the majority of your passengers.