Two AirLink air ambulance aircraft grounded following AFAC inspection
AirLink says its remaining aircraft continue operating after Mexican aviation authorities temporarily grounded two jets and suspended its maintenance workshop
Mexican air ambulance operator AirLink has said two of its aircraft have been temporarily grounded following an inspection by Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC).
The affected aircraft are XA-GJC, a Cessna Citation III, and XA-ALV, a Learjet 35A. AirLink said the action followed a routine inspection and also included the temporary suspension of its maintenance workshop.
The company said its air operator certificate (AOC) remained in force and that its other aircraft continued to operate.
According to AirLink, AFAC identified gaps in maintenance documentation, particularly relating to how maintenance performed in response to pilot reports had been recorded in one aircraft log. The authority also raised issues concerning processes within the company’s maintenance workshop.
Jaime Diaz, CEO of AirLink, said that the required maintenance had been carried out and the operator was providing supporting documentation to AFAC.
“We take the findings seriously and our job now is to correct every item and provide the corresponding evidence to the authority,” Diaz commented. “We are responding to every inspection comment, and (we expect) the two aircraft will return to service when AFAC confirms they meet all requirements.”
AirLink said it had established a corrective action plan through its safety management system, assigning responsibility and deadlines for each item raised during the inspection.
The two aircraft will remain grounded until AFAC confirms that the applicable requirements have been met, according to the company.
AirLink said it would provide a further update when the aircraft were cleared to resume air ambulance operations.
Siân Yates
Siân Yates is News Editor at Voyageur Group and Editor of International Hospitals & Healthcare (IH&H). She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism, and has written across healthcare, travel, food and beverage, science and technology, and environmental topics. Her passion lies in magazine creation and editorial management.