London, October 27: Qantas allowed a Boeing B747 plane to continue operating for nine months even though it was leaking oil, an unauthorised history of the airline claims.
During this time, a flight engineer was overcome by toxic fumes believed to have been caused by the oil leak.
Repeated inspections failed to find the cause of the problem and the oil was continually topped-up but passengers were never told of the possible toxic air problem, the book alleges.
Engine oil leaks are believed to directly contribute to toxic fumes being pumped into cabin air on older aircraft, the book alleges.
The allegations detailed in the book reveal that between July 2007 and July 2008 there were 31 reports by Qantas crew members concerned they had been exposed to toxic fumes while working on various planes.
The Men Who Killed Qantas states that when asked about the reports, Qantas (qan.ASX:Quote,News) said that “fewer than five claims were submitted by employees” during the 13-month period.
Written by investigative journalist Matthew Benns, the book outlines safety lapses that have dogged Qantas in recent years, including the 2008 incident where an exploding oxygen tank blew a gaping hole in the side of a Qantas jet.
The book also provides details about how a 2006 audit on maintenance carried out in Singapore found the quality of maintenance checks were “heading in a negative direction”.
“The book is an alarm bell for the airline,” Mr Benns told news.com.au.
“People within Qantas themselves have come to me with their concerns about future of the airline.
“I have spoken to current and former Qantas staff members so it’s the full history of Qantas right from the word go and its the version you won’t read on their website.
“It has cut 1750 jobs in the last year, paid its former CEO (Geoff Dixon) an almost $11 million golden parachute and sent maintenance of its jets overseas.
“It’s not a book about the death of the Qantas the airline but the death of an iconic Australian brand and its reputation for safety around the world.
—Agencies