The Swiss Bundesamt fuer Zivilluftfahrt BAZL has imposed a provisional flight
ban on both Junkers JU-52s from Ju-Air. That decision follows the
investigation into the accident of an aircraft of this type in August, where
the twenty occupants were killed.
 
During the investigation by the Swiss Safety Research Board SUST, severe
corrosion was detected on wing girders. This damage could not be determined
during normal maintenance.
 
Remarkably enough, the corrosion found at the wreck is independent of the
cause of the accident on 4 August. According to BAZL there are still no
indications at the moment that a technical problem has caused the crash. The
investigation into the crash is still ongoing.
 
Ju-Air resumed flights shortly after the disaster with the eighty-year-old
Junkers aircraft. That was allowed because there were no indications at that
time for technical imperfections. BAZL has now imposed a flight ban because of
the corrosion.
 
Because the flying season is over, the flight ban has no direct consequences
for JU-Air. Both Ju-52 are currently under maintenance, investigating whether
there is also corrosion. If not, the flight company wants to perform pleasure
flights with the Junkers in the spring.
 
Ju-Air also wants to employ a third JU-52 in 2019. This is, however, a younger
copy built in Spanish license. According to the company, other rules apply to
that machine.

--- D'Bridge 3.99 SR33
 * Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)