Fed: First returned Ansett flight leaves at 1430 = 2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2001
Fed: First returned Ansett flight leaves at 1430 = 2

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said earlier the suspension had been lifted on the first
aircraft being inspected by the watchdog.

CASA grounded Ansett's fleet of 10 Boeing 767s shortly before Easter over concerns
about the safety of the planes.

The watchdog also said at the time Ansett would be issued a 14-day notice to demonstrate
why it should keep operating by today.

Mr Gibson said the issue of the show cause notice was still being discussed and an
announcement could be expected later this afternoon.

He said CASA would go on to inspect the rest of the grounded planes individually.

"It will be still some time before the remaining planes are cleared but this is a significant
first step," he said.

The fact no major problems had been found with the first plane gave the regulator confidence
there would not be significant problems with the remaining nine planes.

AAP eg/jlw/las/de

KEYWORD: ANSETT CLEAR LEAD 2 MELBOURNE

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