This early morning Firefly flight FY 1002 (codeshare with MAS flight MH 9948) bound for Kota Bharu from Penang had to do an air turn back due to faulty landing gear. Thank God, FY 1002 landed in Penang safely.
This is another air turn back involving Firefly / MAS in the course of a few days. On 21-4-2014 there was an air turn back by MH192 because of tire burst during take-off that caused the landing gear not able to be retracted, HERE.
The Media Statement issued by MAS at 12:30 pm on 24-4-2014 on air turn back of FY1002 is reproduced below.
Yours truly has been informed that MAS MRO carried out heavy maintenance visit for Firefly aircraft. Firefly aircraft spare parers support, supply and handling are also under MRO. Light maintenance is carried by Firefly engineering team.
It is now public knowledge that the CEO of MAS MRO is Tuan Azhari Dahlan, the ONLY highly qualified engineer. After the infamous MAS-AirAsia share swap, Tuan Azhari Dahlan was head hunted from AirAsia’s insignificant engineering department to head MAS MRO.
For Tuan Azhari Dahlan’s qualification and background please read HERE.
The Media Statement issued by MAS at 12:30 pm on 24-4-2014 on air turn back of FY 1002 is reproduced below.
From: YOUR VOICE ONLINE <UVOICE@malaysiaairlines.com>
Date: 24 April 2014 01:05:07 pm GMT+8
Subject: Media Statement: FY1002 / MH9948 Incident
MEDIA STATEMENT
Released at 12:30pm/24 April 2014
FY1002 / MH9948 Incident
Subang, 24 April 2014: Firefly Airlines would like to confirm that Flight FY1002, a codeshare with Malaysia Airlines Flight MH9948, that departed Penang International Airport (PEN) at 6:55am bound for Kota Bharu earlier today had to turn back, and landed safely in Penang at 7.30am this morning.
Th ATB was due to the aircraft’s landing gear which was unable to retract after being airborne. As safety is of the utmost priority for Firefly Airlines, the aircraft was required to turn back to Penang.
It was a normal uneventful landing. Airport Fire Rescue Services was not required to be deployed.
All 64 passengers and 4 crew members on board have disembarked from the aircraft.
FY1002 / MH9948 was retimed and departed from Penang at 8:50am. It arrived safely in Kota Bharu at 9.50am this morning.
-END-
After the air turn back of MH 192, the Acting Minister of Transport, YB Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein, has called for a report on the incident from MAS and ordered for an investigation by Special Branch of the Police, HERE.
In view of the so-called “technical problems” that have caused MH066 to be diverted to Hong Kong due to failure of the electrical system in the aircraft, air turn back for MH192 and now FY1002 / MH 9948, there must be an in-depth investigations into the competency of Tuan Azhari Dahlan as CEO of MRO, all his decisions and the strange circumstances under which he was appointed after the infamous MAS-AirAsia share swap.
After the missing MH 370, air turn back of MH 192 and this morning air turn back of FY 1002 / MH 9948, MAS and the nation can ill afford another air turn back due to “technical problems” and/or mechanical failure of any kind.
Therefore, an immediate suspension of Tuan Azhari Dahlan as the CEO of MAS MRO is mandatory in order to facilitate an effective in-depth investigation into the serious “technical problems” and air turn backs involving MAS/Firefly aircraft that have been happening in a matter of days and/or a few weeks.
