An aircraft maintenance worker who powered down a plane to clear pre-flight errors has been awarded more than $40,000 in compensation after being dismissed, though the fair work commission ruled he cannot win his job back due to holding an undisclosed second job with Virgin Airlines, according to the Fair Work Commission.
Fair Work Commission Ruling on Brisbane Engineer Dismissal
The Brisbane man served as a full-time licensed aircraft maintenance manager for Heston MRO from May 2023 until December 2025, according to tribunal records. Heston MRO provides line maintenance services to international carriers like Singapore Airlines. Fair Work Commissioner Chris Simpson found that the engineer did not act maliciously or disregard safety when he powered down and powered up a plane to clear fault diagnostic messages before a scheduled flight, a procedure agreed to by the pilots that resulted in a 17-minute delay.
Singapore Airlines Pressure and Internal Investigation Reports
Singapore Airlines sent Heston MRO a notice in November 2025 withdrawing the engineer’s maintenance authority permit over mishandling incidents, according to case files. While Commissioner Simpson stated there was no evidence proving the dismissal stemmed directly from airline pressure, records showed Singapore Airlines was visibly displeased with an initial internal report signed off by Heston MRO leaders, including the chief executive, which cleared the engineer of wrongdoing. Following this communication, a newly hired head of quality and safety reviewed the matter and concluded the actions constituted a reckless violation, though this second finding was never shown to the worker prior to his firing.
Moonlighting Discovery and Breach of Employment Contract
Heston MRO chief executive Asta Zirlyte testified during the hearing that the worker had an attitude issue and failed to follow manuals, though she admitted this view partially stemmed from the engineer missing a meeting while rostered off. Tribunal findings showed the worker also took on casual shifts for Virgin Airlines without notifying Heston MRO, which violated internal compliance rules designed to monitor staff fatigue. Commissioner Simpson noted that while the extra shifts did not cause fatigue or hurt performance, failing to disclose them breached the employment contract and damaged trust, precluding full reinstatement.
Procedural Fairness in Safety-Critical Aviation Roles
Akile Numan, head of advisory service at Clear Employment Relations who represented the engineer, stated that the ruling acts as a strong reminder for businesses. According to Numan, safety concerns do not displace procedural fairness, even within safety-critical sectors. Heston MRO released a media statement expressing deep disappointment and surprise over the decision, announcing plans to lodge an appeal to protect rigorous industry standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the aircraft maintenance worker dismissed?
Heston MRO dismissed the worker following pressure over a 17-minute flight delay caused by powering down a plane, alongside allegations of an attitude issue and an undisclosed second job with Virgin Airlines.
Did the Fair Work Commission order his reinstatement?
No. Commissioner Chris Simpson declined to order reinstatement because the engineer’s failure to disclose his work with a competitor damaged the level of trust and confidence in the employment relationship.
How much compensation was awarded?
The Fair Work Commission ordered Heston MRO to pay the engineer more than $40,000 in compensation after finding procedural flaws in the dismissal process.
Pro Tip: Always review your employment contract regarding secondary employment and disclosure rules to ensure full compliance with internal company policies, especially in regulated industries like aviation.
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