The Papua New Guinea Defence Force lone medium range twin engine aircraft, CASA CN 235-100M, has been grounded until its propeller gear box is replaced.
PNG Defence Force Commander, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, confirmed this, saying: “Payments have been made to order the parts of the gear box from overseas.”
The Commander however, did not give a response to how much it would cost to have the propeller gear box (PGB) fully serviced.
According to the Accident Investigation Commission (AIC), the aircraft sustained an engine failure on 13th July 2016 during a flight from Telefomin to Vanimo, Sandaun Province, necessitating the removal of the right engine PGB at Vanimo Aerodrome.
A replacement PGB, Serial Number UDAG0616, was fitted to the right engine to enable the aircraft to be ferried to Port Moresby for further repairs.
The investigation has found that the replacement PGB had been placed in storage 7 years before the incident.
Storage preservation requirements confirmed in a written statement from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) that a PGB in storage for more than 36 months or 3 years, must be sent to a PGB Original Equipment Manufacturer’s facility for inspection.
This was not carried out and the PGB fitted in 2016 remained on the aircraft.
The PGB fitted to the right engine of P2-502 is classified as unserviceable, rendering the aircraft un-airworthy.
The recommendation by Accident Investigation Commission is still active and not been closed off.
AIC said they will close the recommendations once they see evidence that the safety issue has been addressed.
The Commission stepped in to investigate the PNGDF air operations when its CASA CN235-100M aircraft landed on a closed runway in Goroka on December 2nd 2017, while runway works were in progress.
The aircraft was observed to continue along the closed runway before backtracking to a taxiway that was also closed for works, in order to taxi to and enter the active runway, 35 Right.
(The Goroka Airport)