The concern related to the concern the reporter had in regards to the safety of the aircraft after a flooding event on the aircraft.
The reporter expressed a safety concern regarding the safety of [aircraft registration].
The reporter advised that on a flight two days after a flooding event, passengers observed water dripping from cavities in the centre of Row 67, the lighting around this area was not dimming normally and the strobe lights against the windows were not operating correctly. The reporter also advised that the aircraft smelt damp and had water staining on the walls of the aft staircase.
In response to the REPCON we can provide the following information in relation to the report.
The events described were reported via the “cabin condition log” wherein defects or issues are reported to our engineering area by the operating crew to ensure appropriate inspections and, if require, rectification takes place.
The issue regarding to the lights not dimming was unrelated to water contamination and subject to a maintenance enquiry (detailed in the aircraft techlog). The issue related to an internal assembly that affected lights in rows 65–71. The assembly was rectified with no further reports received. Similarly, an issue was reported relating to the right hand wing strobe which was apparently flashing “only once” instead of the usual twice. The strobe was inspected with no faults found and no further reports have been received relating to any ongoing anomaly in the strobe’s operation.
In relation to water dripping from the lighting area, this is a common occurrence on most passenger aircraft particularly if they have been located in a high humidity environment due to condensation that occurs when airborne. This often manifests itself in water dripping from vents or light fittings in the overhead panels.
While it can be disconcerting for passengers (and sometimes inconvenient requiring intervention by Cabin Crew) it has no safety implications for passenger or the aircraft.
CASA has reviewed the matters reported in the REPCON and is satisfied with the response from the operator.