THREE QANTAS planes unserviceable in one day

It seems clear proof that a lot of maintenance is just not happening

TRAVEL plans for hundreds of people have been thrown into confusion after three separate Qantas flights were grounded.

Qantas said the situations were not emergencies, and no passengers were put in danger at any time. Airlines often say that while delays are unfortunate, passenger safety can never be compromised. But for travellers eager to maximise their Easter long weekend, frustration can be hard to suppress.

An engine fault grounded QF15 at Brisbane Airport yesterday when a problem was discovered with the wiring in one of the 747's engines, the airline said. The problem was fixed by the afternoon but the aircraft was forced to stay put overnight because the crew members' shift was due to end.

The 386 passengers were sent home in taxis or put up in hotels, with the flight now due to depart for Los Angeles at 10.30am (AEST) this morning.

Sky News has reported police were called in to calm down angry passengers as the delay dragged on. One frustrated passenger was quoted as saying all aboard had been taken off the plane, then put back on for two hours, then taken off again before the flight was finally postponed until today.

In Adelaide, a flight connecting with Perth and then bound for Johannesburg was delayed when a fuel leak was detected in pre-flight checks.

Also yesterday, a Qantas flight was delayed for five hours in Perth after a defect was discovered in a wing flap. A replacement was installed and the aircraft left for Brisbane at 1pm (WST), Qantas said.

On Tuesday a Sydney-Singapore flight was forced to turn back when a pilot discovered a problem in one of the engines. On Wednesday, a superjumbo suffered two tyre blowouts while landing at Sydney Airport.

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