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.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)