A former QantasLink pilot has filed a lawsuit against the Australian carrier for over $780,000 after a mid-flight engine failure she experienced led to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Jacinda Cottee, 43, was the first officer aboard a Boeing 717 aircraft travelling from Alice Springs to Brisbane in March 2018 when one of the engines failed more than 500km from its destination.
The pilots declared an emergency as passengers were told to brace for impact and prepare for a potential evacuation, before landing safely in the Queensland capital.
Ms Cottee claims it was the second time she had experienced aircraft engine issues after also being onboard a QantasLink flight from Hobart to Melbourne that encountered similar problems.
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“The claimant says that the maintenance when the accident occurred was largely performed in Canberra (and) due to poor maintenance practices with the 717 aircraft, the maintenance was ultimately moved from Canberra to Singapore,” Slater and Gordon Lawyers acting on behalf of Ms Cottee said in a statement of claim.
“Further, the 717 aircraft was removed from service on the Hobart route due to ongoing issues with maintenance.”
Cottee is now seeking $783,811 in damages and costs from QantasLink, after developing PTSD that put an end to her piloting career.
“QantasLink breached their duty of care by failing to perform proper maintenance on the Boeing 717 aircraft,’ Principal lawyer Kavita Maharaj said in the statement.
“By overlooking safety, they put their pilot, crew and passengers at risk. Ms Cottee has been left with a psychological injury, leaving her unable to fly and pursue her dream career.”
Qantas denied the incident was related to a maintenance issue.
An airline spokesperson said: “The cause of the engine issue from the flight in March 2018 was investigated and Rolls-Royce determined it was a manufacturing fault and not related to maintenance.”
