Explore the latest developments concerning Australia air safety:.
Australia air safety: Engineer sacked after rebooting Singapore Airlines plane, causing 17-minute delay
An aircraft maintenance worker who powered down a plane to clear errors before take-off has failed to win back his job after causing a 17-minute delay, with the country’s fair work umpire saying this was partly because he had been working extra shifts with a competitor.
The Brisbane man, who was a full-time licensed aircraft maintenance manager from May 2023 to December 2025, was employed by Heston MRO, a line maintenance services provider to international airlines including Singapore Airlines.
In November last year, Singapore Airlines sent Heston MRO a notice withdrawing the man’s maintenance authority – an official permit – based on “mishandling incidents”.
Engineer Sacked Over 17-Minute Delay After Singapore Airlines Jet Reboot Awarded $28,000
A veteran Australian aircraft engineer has been awarded AU$40,000 (US$28,044) in compensation after being sacked following a 17-minute delay to a Singapore Airlines flight that he was said to have caused by powering down the aircraft to clear fault messages. The man had done so in agreement with the pilots of the flight in question, but the carrier argued that his actions were a breach of protocol.
The man's employer was Heston MRO, which provides maintenance to carriers such as Singapore Airlines. Heston investigated the matter and sided with the engineer, but he was later sacked after Singapore Airlines rejected the findings of the first investigation and demanded another. A tribunal ultimately decreed that he would not have to be reinstated, with his work at another airline also playing a role.
EMSzero Machines NEO HI-EMT RF EMS 6500w Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulator Professional Sculpting Machine
Engineer wins $28,000 after being fired over 17-minute delay
An Australian aircraft engineer received AU$40,000 after being dismissed for rebooting a Singapore Airlines jet, causing a 17-minute delay. The carrier claimed protocol breach; his employer initially cleared him but later reversed course. A tribunal declined reinstatement but ordered compensation for procedural failures.
The engineer, employed by Heston MRO from May 2023 to December 2025, powered down and restarted a Singapore Airlines aircraft to clear fault messages, with pilot approval. Though the delay was brief, Singapore Airlines contested the action as reckless. Heston’s initial review supported the engineer, but after airline pressure, a second review deemed the act a violation, leading to dismissal without notification.
For more detailed information, explore updates concerning Australia air safety:.
