Qantas Boeing [717] 'wrinkled' in hard landing in Darwin

[Commuter]

Time for Qantas to disconnect itself from NJS?

 

[oz_mark]

Don't know about Disconnect, but they will certainly be doing there best to distance themselves from it.

More news:

Northern Territory News

Hard landing may tarnish Qantas | NEWS.com.au

 

[Shano]

According to this article in The Australian, the 717 will not be written off.

DUSTIN Hoffman's Rain Man can rest easy: Qantas will not have to write off a Boeing 717 involved in a heavy landing in Darwin last week.

The Qantaslink aircraft carrying 84 passengers from Gove was substantially damaged after it hit an area of "high sink" and dropped heavily on approach to Darwin on Thursday last week.

The heavy landing produced wrinkling in the aircraft's skin at the rear of the fuselage, suggesting possible damage to the airframe and prompting speculation that the plane was a write-off.

Although the leased aircraft was operated for Qantaslink by National Jet Systems, a write-off would have seen the first recorded jet airliner hull loss under Qantas colours.

A Qantas spokesman said last night the plane would not be written off, although estimates of the cost of repairs were still being done.

Continues....

 

[straitman]

According to this article in The Australian, the 717 will not be written off.

Interesting that they have stated that the aircraft will not be written off though they are still estimating the cost of the repairs.

 

[serfty]

Maybe its next flight will be to Longreach ... :shock:

 

[straitman]

Maybe its next flight will be to Longreach ... :shock:

Maybe its (next) only flight will be to Longreach ... :shock:

 

[oz_mark]

According to this article in The Australian, the 717 will not be written off.

Wouldn't have expected anything different. While they may still be working on the cost, they must be sure it s coming in under the insured amount.

 

[markis10]

Where do you 'hide' a plane at Darwin Airport?

I'm surprised there are no photos floating around of the plane, and limited information about the incident on various aviation websites.

Did a big freighter turn up in the last few days with a destination somewhere is Asia? I've heard there are good plane repair shops over there that some airlines have good experience with...

Its not hidden at present, today it was "parked" in one of the RAAF hardstand fighter shelters, the one closest to the museum, I say "parked" because its wing span means it does not really fit and is only partially covered. Not much activity around it either!

 

[moa999]

Comment on PPRune as follows:
It is now looking VERY likely that the 717 is a write off meaning it is the very FIRST jet in Qantas colours to ever be written off… Not good

Although from a first time poster... so believe what you will.

Also comments that the aircraft is bent at 18 deg and fuselage rippling is very clear
moderated by other comments
that parked next to active 717s you can't see any difference

 

[ozmerish]

Would like to know what the parts are worth for a repair of this magnitude. :shock:

Since the MD95/B717 is no longer in production, would the cost of spares be significantly higher for airframe parts?

 

[Evan]

Would like to know what the parts are worth for a repair of this magnitude. :shock:

Since the MD95/B717 is no longer in production, would the cost of spares be significantly higher for airframe parts?

Used parts my be available if there is an scrapped aircraft, but new parts.. i doubt there would be many "new" parts that are major structual components but maybe they just custom make them.

I would have assumed for an insurance repair they would need to use new parts would they not given the aircraft is not that old ??

E

 

[straitman]

There is a whole big desert full of parts in the US that the airlines and the US/Aust etc military use all the time.

There is often no requirement for new just the knowledge of the history.

 

[NM]

Used parts my be available if there is an scrapped aircraft, but new parts.. i doubt there would be many "new" parts that are major structual components but maybe they just custom make them.

I would have assumed for an insurance repair they would need to use new parts would they not given the aircraft is not that old ??

E

Perhaps there will be a flood of used 717 parts available in the region very soon. Anyne checked eBay for the sale of 717 parts recently?

 

[Yada Yada]

Well, this is Qantas we're talking about. Based on past form they will repair the aircraft - even if the experts recommend that it be written off - because they won't want this on their record.

 

[ozmerish]

Who owns the aircraft? QF or is it leased? If leased, would the loss (and subsequent safety mark) go against QF or NJS or no one? This is, of course, assuming it's a write off?

I'm guessing that there would be plenty of DC9 / MD8x used parts available in that great big desert as mentioned by straitman. Would they consider this? Interesting if some old DC9 bits wound up finding a new home.

 

[straitman]

I'm guessing that there would be plenty of DC9 / MD8x used parts available in that great big desert as mentioned by straitman. Would they consider this? Interesting if some old DC9 bits wound up finding a new home.

I'm sure they would consider this as it happens all the time.

 

[markis10]

Who owns the aircraft? QF or is it leased? If leased, would the loss (and subsequent safety mark) go against QF or NJS or no one? This is, of course, assuming it's a write off?

Allco Leasing are the owners (now there is a familiar name, think they are a bit distracted with other things at present being suspended on the ASX but own two 717's along with VH-TJS, somewhat ironic given the demise of alirline partners australia) and the operator is NJS.

 

[Cranky59]

Inside Info -
2 Captains on the flight, intent was to land prior to arrival of Thunderstorm - (potential to close the Airport for a short period)

One of the Capt's overulled the other on go - around and both balmed each other

Snr Chap is in the Poo "Big Time"

QF Darwin Staff have been gagged

 

[moa999]

Also some rumours on the Crikey newsletter a couple of days ago.
Also three pics of the wrinkling.

Crikey - Qantas gives new meaning to "bracket creep" - Qantas gives new meaning to "bracket creep"
(Unsure if link works in free mode)

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The jet was supplied by Allco Leasing, [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Qantas says the jet, worth about $35 million, will be repaired, rather than cashed out by insurance as a write-off. Industry sources say this might cost it more than $100 million, but pride in this case comes after a heavy fall, and the airline doesn’t want to score its first ever jet hull loss. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Those little wrinkles are going to require very costly cosmetic surgery to smooth out. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Qantas made a similar investment in rebuilding the Boeing 747-400 it punted into a golf course at the old Bangkok airport in 1999, which ripped off an engine, pushed the nose wheel up into a bulge that was punched into the middle of first class, and tore off the main gear. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The bill for those "repairs" is believed to have been well in excess of $100 million.[/FONT]

 

[ozmerish]

How QF will explain $100 million in repairs vs a $35 million hull loss to its shareholders? Surely rational heads would prevail?

Where is Ms Jackson the accountant when QF needs her?