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Johor flying school grounds 6 Diamond aircraft for safety checks

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The Asia Aeronautical Training Academy says the move was triggered by a global directive issued by the aircraft’s Austria-based manufacturer.

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Free Malaysia Today
The Diamond aircraft used by the Asia Aeronautical Training Academy (AATA) is manufactured in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. (AATA Facebook pic).

PETALING JAYA:
A Johor-based flight training school has grounded its fleet of six aircraft after their manufacturer issued a mandatory service bulletin to operators worldwide instructing that specific engine checks be performed.

Fahmi Ghafir, the Asia Aeronautical Training Academy’s (AATA) accountable manager told FMT the global directive was issued by the aircraft’s Austria-based manufacturer Diamond Aircraft Industries.

He said the mandatory service bulletin called for licensed aircraft maintenance engineers to conduct a borescope test to identify defects or imperfections, adding that they will also have to check the aircraft’s pistons.

AATA’s fleet comprising one Diamond DA42NG and five DA40NGs aircraft was grounded on Aug 30.

“We have just received the service pack from the manufacturer and are currently taking the required actions. The mandatory service bulletin is a safety release that requires us to take action before we can release the aircraft for flight training,” he said.

The directive has raised concerns that the flight training of some 40 cadets at the academy may be disrupted by the aircraft’s grounding.

Fahmi expressed hope that the matter will be resolved within a two-week timeframe, but said more would need to be done if the aircraft’s pistons are found to be defective.

“The safety of our students is our top priority. And as an approved training organisation, we are obliged to adhere to the directives of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM),” he said.

Fahmi said AATA has reported the matter to the CAAM’s flight operations and airworthiness departments, who will be monitoring the situation.

He also assured trainees that their training will not be delayed.

AATA collaborates with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in their bachelor of aeronautical engineering technology (professional piloting) programme. It also signed a deal with the Malaysia Airlines Academy to train pilots.

Diamond Aircraft is a manufacturer of general aviation aircraft and motor gliders based in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. It is a subsidiary of the Chinese company Wanfeng Aviation and the third largest manufacturer of aircraft for the general aviation sector.

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