Qantas faces special probe after third mid-air drama in two weeks

AUSTRALIAN civil aviation officials yesterday announced an unprecedented special review of Qantas after three mid-air dramas in the space of two weeks threatened to tarnish its safety record.

The investigation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) came as flight attendants asked top company officials for a special meeting and assurances that Qantas planes were safe.

Qantas prides itself on its extremely good safety record, having never lost a plane to an accident, but recent incidents, including a mid-air blast that ripped a large hole in the fuselage, have dented its image.