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Monday, December 3, 2007

Nationwide Airlines Grounded

South Africa’s Nationwide Airlines says the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suspended the carrier’s Aviation Maintenance Organization license on Nov. 30, grounding all of the air carrier’s flights. A Nationwide Airlines Boeing 737-200 with more than 100 people onboard lost one of its two Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines during takeoff on Nov. 7 from Cape Town International Airport. The passenger jet circled the field and dumped fuel until the runway was cleared of debris, then successfully made an emergency landing. There were no injuries among the passengers and crew. “We have approached the CAA for further details and guidance in respect of any actions they would like us to implement that would enable them to reinstate the AMO’s license at which point normal operations will resume. Nationwide does not anticipate a prolonged disruption of air service,” said a message to customers on the air carrier’s website.