TIL an A330 can fly with a ripped off winglet.

[MEL_Traveller]

I would be more concerned with the hidden stuff. For example what some airlines allow in their aircraft's minimum equipment list required for operation.

A quick bit of research on the CASA page seems to indicate that aircraft manufactures set the Master Minimum Equipment List, from which airlines can tailor theirs. But the airline’s MEL must be approved by regulators.

CAAP 37-01 - Minimum equipment lists (MEL)​

Any MEL that somehow fell below the Master MEL would likely present an airline with legal and insurance issues.

 

[Quickstatus]

But the airline’s MEL must be approved by regulators.

I didn't say that the airline's MEL would be less than approved, but it's a MEL regardless of any approval, implying that some items are not operational and in the context is this thread, hidden compared to a visible missing winglet. Would passengers be concerned if they knew that their aircraft is missing certain items? Or is it "what you don't know does not hurt you". .


The final go no go decision comes down to the pilots. Some pilots would accept an airline' approved MEL for the particular mission and others would not.

 

[SYD]

Do we know if the winglet was “ripped off” (as per the title of this new thread), or presumably just removed for some reason (eg fatigue, wear or damage,…), and awaiting replacement…

 

[XavierP]

It’s an old tired fleet that should be heading to the exit.

I fear this will only happen when one falls off the sky. I have been flying A330-200's and A330-300's now with QF.. The state is quite bad; toilets are very old and even in my last flight one had "Non-Usable" sticker on it.

 

[Saab34]

My last flight on the 330 the wall piece was falling off down the bottom, it was sort of pushed in with a bit of plastic holding it semi in place. I raised it with the CC when they had been walking past as it ended up falling off and she said oh that’s normal they will add it to the long list of tech issues

It’s interesting as I’ve flown A330s from other operators that are mid life and they seemed pretty good inside.

I guess they need to wait until an aircraft goes offshore to get stuff done. The joys of outsourcing I guess.

 

[Quickstatus]

The state is quite bad; toilets are very old and even in my last flight one had "Non-Usable" sticker on it.

Id rather fly with a missing winglet than a non usable toilet.

 

[XavierP]

Id rather fly with a missing winglet than a non usable toilet.

100% agreed! It was frustrating waiting in the long queue with my legs crossed.

 

[jb747]

Any MEL that somehow fell below the Master MEL would likely present an airline with legal and insurance issues.

It won't be an MEL in that case.

There is another level though. Called an "authority to proceed". It's something that's approved on a one off basis, and needs input from a number of areas, not just the local engineer. And the Captain is still has the final say. And they're very rare.

Would passengers be concerned if they knew that their aircraft is missing certain items? Or is it "what you don't know does not hurt you".

I can tell you now, that EVERY aircraft you set foot on, even brand new ones, will have at least one or two MELs. Most really are minor, but many come with restrictions, or perhaps additional procedures. Some can be lengthy and onerous.

The final go no go decision comes down to the pilots. Some pilots would accept an airline' approved MEL for the particular mission and others would not.

Whilst the vast majority of times I'd accept them without any issues, there have been times where I have rejected the MEL, resulting in either a delay, or in another case a tech stop in Darwin. Engineers apply them for engineering reasons, but they don't necessarily understand their aviation ramifications. That's the Captain's job.

Do we know if the winglet was “ripped off” (as per the title of this new thread), or presumably just removed for some reason (eg fatigue, wear or damage,…), and awaiting replacement…

And that title annoyed me, as it was a bit of mud slinging without the slightest knowledge.

I fear this will only happen when one falls off the sky. I have been flying A330-200's and A330-300's now with QF.. The state is quite bad; toilets are very old and even in my last flight one had "Non-Usable" sticker on it.

All the items you're talking about are non airworthiness items. They don't appear in the MELs, and can simply be written off. They don't make anything fall out of the sky.