VIP Boeing back in the air after overnight stranding

11.44am

The air force's embarrassing old Boeing 727 VIP aircraft, which broke down yesterday on the way to commemorations of the Battle of El Alamein in Egypt, is back in the air.

The plane was stranded overnight in Brisbane when an engine developed an oil leak. On board were four war veterans, all in their 80s, and military personnel including army chief Major General Jerry Mataparae and his wife.

The aircraft was fixed this morning, and it departed for its next scheduled stop, Darwin.

The flight to Egypt was scheduled to take three days and was still expected to arrive in time for the event marking the 60th anniversary of the El Alamein battle.

Prime Minister Helen Clark is taking a commercial flight to Egypt.

An air force C-130 Hercules has been on the ground at Brisbane awaiting repairs for the last few days while another, enlisted to help evacuate New Zealanders and Australians from Bali, was grounded in Darwin overnight because its crew exceeded its flying time after the discovery of a cracked windscreen.

Defence spokesman John Seward told NZPA that aircraft had been cleared for flight duties at 3am today and would resume operations.

The Boeing 727's engine developed an oil leak while in the air yesterday. The problem was discovered during a routine inspection when the plane landed at Brisbane to refuel, Squadron Leader Gavin Leckner told NZPA.

A spare part was flown from Melbourne, and passengers were put up in a hotel overnight.

Flight Sergeant David Bacon said the aircraft was 34 years old and had logged 45,000 flying hours.

National party leader Bill English said he was embarrassed for the war veterans that their flight to El Alamein had been interrupted due to the ailing aircraft.

"The war veterans won't be comforted by more platitudes from the peacenik minister of defence that all is well in defence."

Mr Burton last night said defence equipment had been neglected in the 1990s. "There is no question that much of our defence equipment is in need of an upgrade or replacement," he said.

But Mr English said that was ludicrous. "Since the day it took office Labour has wound down our defence forces, including the air combat force," he said.

Miss Clark was "oblivious" to the defence force's needs.

"Perhaps this is because she flies on a commercial airline to commemorations like El Alamein, while she sends war veterans and journalists on ailing defence force aircraft," Mr English said

- NZPA