From CBC News 🔗 link to source story – thanks to JS

Airline claims staff used wrong nut to install gear before incident in 2020

Rhianna Schmunk · CBC News · February 09, 2022

Iceland’s national airline has sued an aircraft maintenance company in Kelowna, B.C., claiming the shop bungled the installation of its landing gear before it collapsed during a landing two years ago.

IcelandAir claimed staff at Kelowna Flightcraft used the wrong nut to install the landing gear on a Boeing 757 in late 2019. Several weeks later, the gear broke upon landing at Keflavik International Airport.

“Icelandair claims the main landing gear collapse was caused by the negligence and/or breach of contract of Kelowna Flightcraft,” according to the claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court on Friday, nearly two years to the day after the incident.

There were 166 people — 160 passengers and six crew — on board flight FI529 when it arrived in Iceland from Berlin on Feb. 7, 2020. 

The landing gear on the plane’s right side collapsed after hitting the runway, officials said. An interim report from the Icelandic Transport Accident Investigation Board attributed the collapse to a “failure of swivel attachment to main strut.”

Pic via @RUVfrettir https://t.co/HTxWPbWLQ2 pic.twitter.com/wCiujdfvww

— Bergdís Norðdahl (@beggi_north) February 7, 2020

Photos from the runway showed the plane came to rest on its engine, tilted over to the right.

No one was hurt. 

Kelowna Flightcraft — also known as KF Aerospace — has not filed a response to the claim in court but sent a statement to CBC News.

“Icelandair is a valued client and KF Aerospace takes pride in providing exceptional service to Icelandair and all of its clients,” wrote Grant Stevens, the company’s chief corporate services officer. 

“Aerospace’s insurers are currently looking into the allegations made against it in the Notice of Civil Claim, but because this matter is now before the courts, it would not be appropriate for KF Aerospace to comment further publicly.”

Landing gear ‘overhaul’

IcelandAir wanted to overhaul the plane’s landing gear before the incident, the lawsuit said.

The airline ordered new landing gear from a manufacturer in Florida in November 2019 and had it shipped to Kelowna Flightcraft for installation.

According to the claim, the manufacturer shipped the gear with a large nut “loosely placed” on a side strut swivel to keep it from being damaged during transit.

Iceland Air claimed Kelowna Flightcraft used the shipping nut — not the proper one — to fasten the side strut swivel to the main strut, even though, according to the lawsuit, the shipping nut was too big and came with a “caution tag” attached.

Kelowna Flightcraft sent the plane back to Iceland on Jan. 6, 2020.

The airline, which had been doing business with the shop for more than a decade, is claiming costs for damage to the plane and lost revenue.

Leading Canadian AMO, KF Aerospace successfully implements dentCHECK at its Kelowna headquarters maintenance facility for better inspection quality and time-savings.

KF Aerospace, a leading Canadian approved maintenance organization (AMO) has begun using 8tree’s dentCHECK to enhance the efficiency and quality of its dent-mapping activities.

“KF performs hundreds of structural repairs annually on a wide variety of commercial aircraft” says Gregg Evjen, Chief Operating Officer, “Implementation of dentCHECK has allowed KF to improve accuracy, accelerate the damage mapping processes, and produce a digital record for our Engineers to utilize as they develop the repairs.”

“We are absolutely thrilled that KF Aero decided on dentCHECK, when they embraced the tool after a rigorous evaluation a couple years ago”, said Arun Chhabra, CEO, 8tree. “They joined the global community of dentCHECK users as the first Canadian firm to do so. Several other Canadian operators have since followed in their footsteps. KF Aero joins the ranks of more than three dozen MROs, airlines and OEMs that use dentCHECK daily to disposition dent-damage on aircraft across the cargo, commercial, business and defense aviation sectors. We look forward to continuing to support KF Aero’s maintenance operations and having them experience 8tree’s exceptional customer service.”

dentCHECK is the world’s only handheld-portable, completely wireless 3D scanner tool with integrated AR that is purpose-built for the aviation maintenance industry. It is now used by the world’s leading commercial, cargo and defense MROs. Delivering real-time ‘go/no-go’ answers at the push of a single-button, the tool significantly reduces damage-mapping and reporting times, compared to traditional manual methods that use depth-gauges and straight-edges.

Approved and recognized by all major aerospace OEMs (Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer), dentCHECK is used by the world’s leading airlines/MROs for fast and accurate damage-mapping and SRM-compliant multi-dent reporting. When compared to traditional inspection methods, dentCHECK delivers a 90% gain in efficiency and 35x better measurement consistency.

OEM-acceptance has led to widespread adoption of dentCHECK amongst airlines/MROs. Detailed case-studies from easyJet, Delta TechOps and TAP-M&E, as well as news from Aeromexico, Airbus’ Flightline, DHL-Express and Zeppelin, demonstrate that dentCHECK drastically reduces inspection and reporting times by up to 90%. This shortens aircraft Turn-around-Time (TaT), which further reduces lost revenues and very directly improves operational efficiency for airlines. dentCHECK enhances safety through an improved understanding of airframe reliability.

About 8tree
“We make precision 3D measurement as simple as taking a photo”
With this vision in mind, 8tree makes 3D optical surface inspection tools that solve chronic problems for multiple industries. 8tree’s products empower every operator – from mechanics on the floor, to engineers in the lab – with instantly actionable precise measurements, portability and performance. With its patented user-centric product design, instant ‘go/no-go’ answers and zero-learning curve, 8tree is committed to making precision 3D scanning more broadly accessible – technically and commercially.

For more information, visit 8-tree.com

About KF Aerospace
We’re all about THE CRAFT.
KF Aerospace celebrates 50 years of innovative aircraft solutions for corporate, commercial and military customers worldwide—including major airlines like WestJet, Air Canada, Icelandair and Condor. From our humble roots in the Okanagan Valley, KF has grown to specialize in aircraft maintenance and modifications, military aircrew training, air cargo operations and leasing—with the same commitment to quality and service established by our founder in 1970. With facilities across Canada, KF is home to around 1000 highly skilled employees.

To learn more visit kfaero.ca

(Release via Boeing)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — As global demand for freighters continues to soar, Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced plans to add three conversion lines for the market-leading 737-800BCF across North America and Europe. The company also signed a firm order with Icelease for eleven of the freighters as the launch customer for one of the new conversion lines.

In 2022, the company will open one conversion line at Boeing’s London Gatwick Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility, its state-of-the-art hangar in the United Kingdom; and two conversion lines in 2023 at KF Aerospace MRO in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.

“Building a diverse and global network of conversion facilities is critical to supporting our customers’ growth and meeting regional demand,” said Jens Steinhagen, director of Boeing Converted Freighters. “KF Aerospace and our Boeing teammates at London Gatwick have the infrastructure, capabilities and expertise required to deliver market-leading Boeing Converted Freighters to our customers.”

“We’re very excited to be expanding our relationship with Boeing,” said Gregg Evjen, chief operating officer, KF Aerospace. “We’ve been working with the Boeing product line for more than 30 years. With our cargo conversion experience, our highly skilled workforce and all the technical requirements already in place, we’re ready to get to work and help serve Boeing’s customers.”

For Icelease, which recently expanded its cooperation with Corrum Capital through a joint venture called Carolus Cargo Leasing, the order for eleven 737-800BCF will be their first converted freighter order with Boeing. The lessor will be the launch customer for conversions at Boeing’s London Gatwick MRO facility.

“We are confident in the quality and proven record of Boeing’s 737-800 converted freighter, and pleased to be the launch customer for their new London MRO facility,” said Magnus Stephensen, senior partner at Icelease. “We look forward to bringing the freighter into our fleet to serve our growing global customer base operating domestic and short-haul routes.”

Earlier this year, Boeing announced it would create additional 737-800BCF conversion capacity at several sites, including a third conversion line at Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company Limited (GAMECO), and two conversion lines in 2022 with a new supplier, Cooperativa Autogestionaria de Servicios Aeroindustriales (COOPESA) in Costa Rica. Once the new lines become active, Boeing will have conversion sites in North America, Asia and Europe.

Boeing forecasts 1,720 freighter conversions will be needed over the next 20 years to meet demand. Of those, 1,200 will be standard-body conversions, with nearly 20% of that demand coming from European carriers, and 30% coming from North America and Latin America.
The 737-800BCF is the standard body freighter market leader with more than 200 orders and commitments from 19 customers. The 737-800BCF offers higher reliability, lower fuel consumption, lower operating costs per trip and world-class in-service technical support compared to other standard-body freighters.

About Boeing

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com.

About KF Aerospace

We’re all about THE CRAFT.

For over 50 years, KF Aerospace has delivered innovative aircraft solutions for corporate, commercial and military customers worldwide—including major airlines like WestJet, Sunwing, Cargojet, Lynden Air Cargo and Icelandair. From our humble roots in the Okanagan Valley, KF has grown to specialize in aircraft maintenance and modifications, military aircrew training, air cargo operations and leasing—with the same commitment to quality and service established by our founder in 1970. With facilities across Canada, KF is home to nearly 1,000 highly skilled employees. kfaero.ca

Rise in e-commerce fueling expansion; career opportunities at Kelowna-based aerospace firm

https://www.kfaero.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DSC03851-EDIT-Web.jpg

November 16, 2021—Kelowna— KF Aerospace and Okanagan College are hosting a joint virtual information session (Wednesday, November 17, 2021, from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM PST) to help prospective career seekers connect with careers in aerospace.

KF Aerospace is forecasting continued heavy demand for skilled trades – particularly for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers – Structures (AME-S). KF Aerospace recently announced major expansions to its hangars at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) and a contract with Boeing to add two cargo conversion lines in Kelowna.

“Qualified AME-Structures are in high demand here at KF,” says Gregg Evjen, Chief Operating Officer, KF Aerospace. “Our passenger-to-freighter conversion programs were growing before the pandemic, and that’s only accelerated due to the rapid increase in e-commerce. With a significant new contract lined up that will require even more AME-Structures to be hired here in the Okanagan, this is the perfect time to start your training at Okanagan College and set yourself up for a great career.”

Okanagan College offers a 37-week apprenticeship program for AME-Structures, with the next intake set to commence January 31, 2022, at KF Aerospace’s facility in Kelowna. Graduates are often hired by KF immediately following completion of the program.

“Apprenticeship training gives students the tools for a successful future. Okanagan College is proud to join KF Aerospace to showcase the work of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer –Structures graduates and the heights this partnership will take students and our community,” said Stephen Speers, Dean of Okanagan College Trades and Apprenticeship.

Those interested in participating can register for free online.

About KF Aerospace

We’re all about THE CRAFT.

KF Aerospace celebrates 50 years of innovative aircraft solutions for corporate, commercial and military customers worldwide—including major airlines like WestJet, Air Canada, Icelandair and Condor. From our humble roots in the Okanagan Valley, KF has grown to specialize in aircraft maintenance and modifications, military aircrew training, air cargo operations and leasing—with the same commitment to quality and service established by our founder in 1970. With facilities across Canada, KF is home to more than 900 highly skilled employees.