The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) suspended the approval of Lufthansa Technik, one of the aircraft maintenance organisations that maintains Comair's fleet. This came after a four-day audit found four level 1 findings with Lufthansa's quality and safety management systems, posing an immediate risk to aviation safety. While Lufthansa addressed two findings within 24 hours, the SACAA issued a 24-hour precautionary suspension as the other two findings remained unresolved. The SACAA takes its mandate to regulate aviation safety seriously and will enforce regulations without hesitation.

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MEDIA STATEMENT 23 March 2022
CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY SUSPENDS LUFTHANSA AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE
ORGANISATION APPROVAL
Johannesburg – The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) suspended the approval of
Lufthansa Technik, one of the Aircraft Maintenance Organisations (AMO) that maintains the fleet of
Comair Ltd on Monday 22 March 2022. The suspension follows a four-day audit which started on
15 March 2022. The audit of the both the AMOs maintaining the Comair fleet follows the conclusion
of the airline’s audit by the SACAA following a spate of incidents taking place from February 2022.
During the safety oversight visit Lufthansa Technik’s quality control management system (QC) and
safety management systems (SMS) were subjected to a review to establish legislative compliance
related to reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences, and corrective action plans to prevent
recurrence.
The audit resulted in four Level 1 findings raised with the AMO. A Level 1 finding poses an immediate
risk to users of civil aviation services and such findings must be closed immediately. The SACAA
shared the preliminary results of the audit on Sunday with Lufthansa’s accountable manager and his
team and gave the operator twenty-four hours to make representations. The SACAA reviewed the
evidence and corrective action plans submitted by the Operator until Monday 21 March 2022. The
evidence was found to be satisfactory in relation to two of the Level 1 findings. This means that two
other Level 1 findings could not be closed within the stipulated time. It is for this reason that the
SACAA handed a 24-hour precautionary suspension of the privileges of the AMO with effect from
Monday night. The operator is required to submit further evidence to close the gaps identified by the
Regulator within this period failing which the Regulator will indefinitely suspend the approval of the
AMO until such findings are sufficiently closed.
The SACAA found that the AMO had both a quality management system and safety management
system in place however both were not implemented as per the CARs and the requisite manuals.
According to the Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs), the Operator can appeal the decision of the
suspension to the Director in terms of Part 185.04.2.
SA Civil Aviation Authority
Private Bag X73
Halfway House
1685
Tel: (011) 545 1000
Fax: (011) 545 1201
Website: www.caa.co.za

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The mandate of the SACAA is to regulate and enforce civil aviation safety and security compliance.
This is a responsibility that the Regulator takes seriously and will execute diligently and without
hesitation.
-ENDS-
Issued by the South African Civil Aviation Authority
About the SACAA:
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is a Schedule 3A public entity reporting to the
Department of Transport established in terms of the Civil Aviation Authority Act, 2009 (Act No 13 of
2009) (the Act). In terms of mandate, the SACAA is tasked with promoting and maintaining a safe,
secure, and sustainable civil aviation environment, by regulating and overseeing the functioning and
development of the industry in an efficient, cost-effective, and customer-friendly manner according
to international standards. The SACAA is governed and controlled by the Civil Aviation Authority
Board.
For more information contact:
Daphney Chuma
Mobile Number: 067 415 4014, Email: ChumaD@caa.co.za
Teresa Jenkins
Mobile Number: 083 399 4494, Email: teresa@lithacommunications.co.za