Fed: Undercarriage collapses on Qantas jet

AAP General News (Australia)
04-22-2000
Fed: Undercarriage collapses on Qantas jet

Qantas is defending its safety record tonight despite the partial collapse of the undercarriage
of one of its fleet of 747s as it taxied for takeoff at Rome's Fiumicino airport earlier
today.

Qantas's executive general manager of aircraft operations, DAVID FORSYTH says passenger
safety has always been and still is the highest priority for Qantas.

He says the airline's spending $900 million on maintenance in the current year and
expenditure next year will probably top $1 billion.

In today's incident, part of the undercarriage of a 747-300 Qantas jumbo sheared off
on the tarmac as flight QF16 was about to depart Rome for Melbourne via Bangkok.

The flight was taxiing on a runway at Rome Airport when part of the right-wing undercarriage
sheared off as the pilot negotiated a 180-degree turn.

One of the jet's four engines struck the tarmac, causing hydraulic fuel to leak.

All 303 passengers and 19 crew were evacuated down stairs at the front of the aircraft
and no one was injured.

The passengers were transferred to a hotel while another Qantas jet was ferried from
London to resume the flight to Melbourne.

The re-scheduled flight is due to depart at 11.30 tonight eastern Australian time.

AAP RTV pwa/sub

KEYWORD: QANTAS (SYDNEY)

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