Kazakh CAA gives Qazaq Air 10 days to draw up action plan

The Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan (AAK) says it has given Qazaq Air (IQ, Nur-Sultan Nazarbayev) until March 1 to draw up a corrective action after the state-owned carrier racked up 13 violations during a recent scheduled audit. The regulator said in a statement dated February 19 that the plan, if accepted, would have to be fully implemented and all deficiencies resolved within three months, failure of which would result in its airworthiness certificates being revoked or other more forceful measures taken. The AAK’s scheduled inspection covered Qazaq Air’s flight safety and aviation security procedures, including flight operations, aircraft airworthiness, de-icing procedures, compliance with flight safety management system standards, and compliance with aviation safety standards. The AAK said it had directed the airline to strengthen its flight crew and maintenance personnel’s checks and controls over the condition of its DHC-8-Q400 fleet’s tires and brake systems as well as ensuring proper aircraft stand parking. Qazaq Air will also interact with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada and the tyres’ manufacturer when an incident occurs. “Overall, we are pleased to see that Qazaq Air is continuing to improve their safety performance along with other airlines operating in Kazakhstan,” Peter Griffiths, the AAK’s General Director, said. On February 13, a Qazaq Air Dash 8-400, P4-AIR (msn 4598), burst both its right-hand main tyres following touch down at Almaty airport. The AAK will heighten its checks for debris and foreign objects on runways at all the country’s airports. Qazaq Air operates five Dash 8-400s on scheduled flights to 15 towns and cities throughout Kazakhstan.