FlySafair Christmas flight forced to turn back after engine issue

It’s what many of us fear when it comes to catching flights. We dread any announcement that points to the fact that there may be a problem with the plane, especially while in the air. FlySafair, on Christmas Day, experienced an issue with one of its flight’s right engine and subsequently had to turn back. 

FLYSAFAIR CHRISTMAS FLIGHT TURNS BACK DUE TO ENGINE MALFUNCTION 

Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon said flight FA113 departed Johannesburg for Cape Town at 14:21 on 25 December, just four minutes before scheduled take-off. 

After take-off the crew were alerted to performance issues on the right-hand engine. 

“They ran through the standard safety and diagnostic procedures and then decided to return to base. Passengers were informed of the return and advised that they would be met by response vehicles as is standard procedure but that the landing would be very normal,” said Gordon. 

“The aircraft then landed safely at 15:20 and the 142 of the 144 passengers boarded a standby aircraft and were straight off to Cape Town,” added Gordon. 

According to FlySafair, there were no obvious faults with the engine noted on initial inspections. The engine has been replaced with a backup and is currently in the workshop for deeper investigation.

CENTURION PLANE CRASH 

While nobody was harmed during the FlySafair Christmas flight, two men were injured after their light aircraft crashed near Centurion, Gauteng on 7 December 2020. 

In a statement issued shortly before midday, ER24 confirmed that one victim remained on life support:

“A 52-year-old man has suffered critical injuries after his microlight crashed near Sunderland Ridge, Centurion this morning. ER24 paramedics arrived at 7:01 this morning to find the Microlight wreck in a field and another private Emergency Medical Service already tending to the pilot,” it said. 

“He was treated using Advanced Life Support interventions before being flown by medical helicopter to a private hospital for further care. The 18-year-old passenger was found a few meters from the craft, having suffered moderate injuries to his right leg. He was transported by ER24 to Mediclinic Kloof for further care. The cause of the crash is unknown so far,” it added.