Transcript
2/11/99
Safety concerns over passenger jets

KERRY O'BRIEN: We'll bask in Melbourne Cup glory shortly, but first, a somewhat scary story about a particular type of passenger plane.

Australians have long prided themselves in having the safest skies in the world.

But some disturbing evidence has been presented to a Senate inquiry in Canberra over the past two days that raises serious questions about the British Aerospace 146, a short-haul jet used on many regional routes in Australia by the major airlines.

More than 30 ply our skies every day.

But some pilots say they're getting so sick from engine oil fumes they've been incapacitated in flight and flight attendants tell a similar story.

The airlines and manufacturers admit there have been problems but deny any long-term health effects.

Philip Williams reports.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS: For the strapped-in public about to be launched 10km above terra firma, there are two certainties we all rely on -- that the plane is in topnotch order with pilots to match.

But what if there's a problem that allows oil fumes to be sucked into the cabin?

CHRIS WINTER, TOXICOLOGIST, UNIVERSITY OF NSW: Symptoms of irritation of eyes, nose and upper airways, symptoms of neurotoxicity, neurobehavioural problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular symptoms.

Neurotoxicity is a major flight safety concern, especially where exposures are intense.

I am aware that this inquiry will be studying closely a Bureau of Air Safety Investigation of one such case.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS: That case involved a national jet system's BAE 146 cargo flight on descent into Melbourne two years ago.

There were three crew aboard, one more than usual.

At 2,000 feet, after fumes were noticed in the cabin, the pilot began feeling nauseous. His movements became jerky and he suffered vertigo.

The extra pilot also reported nausea.

It was left to the copilot, who appeared unaffected, to land the plane on his own.

The Bureau of Air Safety Investigation, BASI, found a number of flight and cabin crew reported health problems on the BAE 146 aircraft.

Some were on sick leave, others with medical certificates, excluding flying on the 146 planes, and some simply unable to fly again.

JUDY CULLINANNE, FORMER ANSETT FLIGHT ATTENDANT: It felt like someone was trying to rip your strength out through your shoulders and you were starting to have trouble to breathe and your nausea waves and you just felt so sick.

I couldn't move, couldn't move anything.

Couldn't move my arms, my legs, couldn't say anything. I was paralysed -- could not do a thing.

Then we touched down and it started to lift. It was the weirdest feeling.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS: Former flight attendant Judy Cullinanne is taking her employer to court after an apparent odour incident left her unable to work.

Others simply can't crew the BAE 146.

SUE BROOKS, FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA: In one particular port, there's 350, perhaps, members flying on the aircraft.

102 of those, to my knowledge, who have medical certificates excusing them from operating on that aircraft due to ill effects that they've suffered in the past.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS: If it's bad for the flight attendants, then what are the effects on pilots, breathing the same air, along with the passengers?

LAURIE COX, AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF AIR PILOTS: There have been other incidences where pilots, on departure from their airport, have actually handed over the controls due to nausea being suffered as a result of fumes.

Pilots have taken sick leave, extensive sick leave as a result of it, and some pilots have in fact lost their medical certificates, their capacity to fly.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS: The airlines operating the BAE 146 don't deny that in some cases oil seals fail and that can lead to contamination of cabin air.

The dispute, aired before the Senate inquiry for the past two days, is the effect.

TREVOR JENSEN, ANSETT AIRLINES: A small minority of our crew members have reported an association between the odours and short-term discomfort, such as irritation of the mucus membranes, which was less frequently accompanied by headaches, nausea and a shortness of breath.

Claims have also been made that there is some sort of link between exposure of these odours and long-term health effects.

That claim has not been established by the weight of scientific and medical evidence.

PROFESSOR CHRIS WINTER: I believe that the pilots I've seen are unlikely to fly again.

I believe that the impairment of their health is certainly long term. When I say "long term", I mean more than two years and possibly maybe permanent.

Most of the flight attendants I have seen are already out of the industry.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS: Professor Winder says he believes the airlines play down the seriousness of the fumes because of fear of litigation, but for its part Ansett says it's carried out extensive air quality testing and engine modifications that have minimised the problem.

TREVOR JENSEN: Our aircraft are very different. We have carried out all these modifications.

Other operators haven't.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS: If Ansett's the best, and by implication their competitors are not up to standard, then why are complaints still being made?

LAURIE COX, AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF AIR PILOTS: Certainly in one company's case they've done some fairly extensive work on it, but it has not addressed the problems.

There are still incidents occurring.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS: The other problem is a lack of reporting, flight attendants and pilots afraid of retribution if they speak out.

Eighteen submissions to the inquiry are confidential for exactly that reason.

I spoke to one pilot, who wanted to remain anonymous, who told me a hair-raising story of landing an aircraft in such a state there was no chance even of handing over to the copilot.

And there are others with similar stories not reported for fear of losing their licence and therefore their livelihood.

So where does that leave the travelling public?

Democrat Senator John Woodley has been the driving force behind the inquiry.

SENATOR JOHN WOODLEY: I have been given assurances by the airlines that there are no safety problems outstanding.

I have a concern of the link between health and safety -- the two surely are linked -- although the airlines have tried to make a distinction between them.

PHILLIP WILLIAMS: Senator Woodley flew home to Brisbane tonight aboard a BAE 146.

With most on board unaware of the debate, he was quietly hoping the link between health and safety would not become apparent in the next hour.