Mihin Lanka Loses Engine
By Dinouk Colombage
Engine trouble with Mihin Lanka’s newest A321 has resulted in the engine of another A321 being installed in the aircraft to ensure it continues flying. However, this swap has meant the previous aircraft has been grounded indefinitely.
The cost of the operational lease for the new A321 is US $2,350 per flying hour. Kapila Chandrasena, Mihin Lanka CEO, signed the lease for this aircraft back in December 12 2011. With this addition to its fleet Mihin now has two A321s to go along with its A320. Prior to introducing the new aircraft to their fleet, Captain Themiya Abeywickrama and Captain Pujitha Jayakody were both sent by Mihin on an all-expense paid trip to Paris to inspect it. Abeywickrama, who was first sent there, spent a week test flying the aircraft, while Jayakody spent 20 days in the French capital giving final approval. Upon completion of their inspection, both pilots gave the approval for the company to take it under an operational lease, despite the plane being over nine years old. However, after having made its inaugural flight on September 1, the aircraft experienced engine trouble. The company has now replaced the malfunctioning engine in the newly purchased A321 with that of the other A321.
The previous A321 is grounded on the basis of “being serviced” while the company is looking at flying the malfunctioning engine back to Paris to have it repaired.
If in the event Mihin is forced to lease an engine for the other A321 so that both aircrafts are operational, it will cost US $4 million a year (Rs. 218,840,000). Chandrasena, denied that there was any serious issue with the aircraft engine. “We detected a mechanical issue and so we demounted the engine and are putting it through a boroscope inspection. We will then be able to find out what the problem is with the engine”, he said.
Chandrasena added that the second A321 was undergoing a routine “C-check” which means that it will be grounded for nearly three weeks. “This is a routine maintenance check, because we have unused engines on this plane. We have taken one and installed it on the new A321 to ensure that it continues to fly”, he explained.
He could not comment on how long the other aircraft would be grounded, explaining that an inspection still needs to be carried out on the malfunctioning engine.
The CEO denied that they were looking at leasing an engine to replace the malfunctioning one.
It clearly shows that coruption prevails thoroughout the country, Nobody is above coruption and thanks to Mahinda Chinthanaya.
Im doubtful if MIHIN Lanka is safe to fly. I hear a lot of frigtening stories. And unfortunately, Im booked to fly on SRILANKAN AIRLINES in Deecmber but the website says the flight will be on MIHIN. Im already shivering.
So change your flight
How come an engine malfunction occur soon after the inaugural flight. These engines are made to run for long periods. Isn’t there a warranty period for the lease engine. Are the pilots qualified enough to test the aircraft before leasing. Is this another loss making blunder. Knowledge is power and only time will tell.
Thnaks to our great President who is telling the truth always. When is this going to end – country will be bankrupt when MR exits.
MR exits? Are you mad? Its going to be dictatorship like Saddam Hussain. Luckily I left that hell hole country 4 years ago and soon to be citizen of a better country.
Will not come back to that hell hole to live except for visits
Kapila Chandrasena – CEO Mihin Lanka. This job is not worth. Even a job like sole proprietor – Athula Motors is much greater. This man should understand what is he a CEO of a bankrupt entity.
The man who had given the final approval Capt.Pujith Jayakody,could most often be seen drunk,hugging people and singing at certain Clubs in Colombo.Paris must have been a Paradise…..
You are absolutly right.Can you beleive that this man,the so called chief pilot of Mihin lanka was caught once when he was flying for Air lanka in singapore for shoplifting?He was jailed and Aircraft was grounded .He still cannot fly to Singapore because of his wonderful track record.
Buy a Brand New air craft, Don’t buy rubbish to make commission. People will scared to fly.
THOSE WHO ARE TRAVELLING IN MIHIN AIR ARE FOOLS…. NO DIFFERENCE A TRAVELER AND SRI LANKA VOTER
the numbers are wrong- how is $4= Rs, 218Mn?
and why it took 21 days?? tamasha or discussions held?
MIhiin Lanka… haha… if you are trying to plan flying with them. Once I called to check flight schedule from Dubai, but merely 4 months advance. They told MIhin does not have flight schedule beyond three months and asked me to call near three months in advance.
Because of the company unprofessional politically backked cheap Maintaining of “Air Crafts” and foolish unsuitable politisciesd management (Addministration) of the company , and dialuted cheap fuel supply, very soon “Srilankan Aviation Industri” becomes standstill, as all over the world “Travel Agents” do not reccomnd either Srilankan Airline” or “Mihin Air” for international travels.
Passengers cannot risk their lives , travelling by unsafe airlines.What a big loss to the country???????????????????????????????/
@Srilankan Ailline Passenger
Really ?? Then how come you are flying the airline ? Are you conning us or just too cheap to buy a ticket on another “reputed” airline ?
Or are you a Patriot ?
As somone in this forum already commented
Where is the warrenty?
Then
Who are Appuhamies who approve these contractual documents?
Was the aircraft that was tested, and, delivered the same?
How competent were the two pilots who went to France?
Did a aircraft engineer also go with them to factory test/inspect?
Were commissions exchanged?
Is the treasury going to finance the loss and pass it to the tax payers?
Kaata kiyanna the? Sorry for the country.
something silly here .. you get planes on wet lease and the maintenance and all are covered by the leasing company, not by the airline ..
Get the facts corrected here .. looks mighty news worthy, but in reality, may not even be true ..
@Michael
Why bother to get the facts straight ?
It’s a delicious “punnakku” story for the punnakku-eaters to swallow and be delighted about as you can see from the majority of the rabid responses here
Come on and grow up guys ! Mihin had been flying for well over four years and earned a bad name thanks to Sajin Vaas and his protectors and no other, yet the airline has transformed itself completely since then. All you guys who are bitching about it…….have you flown on it lately to comment so freely ?! I have done on several occasions and find the service superior to Sri Lankan whose cabin crew act as if they are the Pilots ! Go try it for yourselves without behaving like the typical ignorant villager who thrives on gossip.