The Swiss Bundesamt fuer Zivilluftfahrt BAZL has imposed a provisional
flight ban on both Junkers JU-52s from Ju-Air. That decision follows the
investigation into the accident of an aircraft of this type in August,
where the twenty occupants were killed.
 
During the investigation by the Swiss Safety Research Board SUST, severe
corrosion was detected on wing girders. This damage could not be determined
during normal maintenance.
 
Remarkably enough, the corrosion found at the wreck is independent of the
cause of the accident on 4 August. According to BAZL there are still no
indications at the moment that a technical problem has caused the crash.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing.
 
Ju-Air resumed flights shortly after the disaster with the eighty-year-old
Junkers aircraft. That was allowed because there were no indications at
that time for technical imperfections. BAZL has now imposed a flight ban
because of the corrosion.
 
Because the flying season is over, the flight ban has no direct
consequences for JU-Air. Both Ju-52 are currently under maintenance,
investigating whether there is also corrosion. If not, the flight company
wants to perform pleasure flights with the Junkers in the spring.
 
Ju-Air also wants to employ a third JU-52 in 2019. This is, however, a
younger copy built in Spanish license. According to the company, other
rules apply to that machine.

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