The glitch, identified during a pre-flight inspection, was the latest in an embarrassing series of mechanical problems which have plagued Qantas in recent days.

It came as Qantas chiefs insisted the airline would regain its reputation for safety.

It was the fourth incident on Qantas flights in 10 days.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has formed a special six-member team to investigate Qantas's maintenance program over the next fortnight.

The airline's engineering boss, David Cox, said the CASA probe would allow Qantas to prove that some incidents are just part of running a major airline.

Outgoing Qantas chief Geoff Dixon said there were no "systemic problems" with maintenance, despite union concerns about foreign service contracts.

The airline remained "probably the safest" carrier in the world, Mr Dixon said.

He conceded the recent focus on technical problems and the July 25 emergency landing in Manila were damaging the airline's reputation.

"It is our job to make sure we get that reputation back," Mr Dixon said.

A Qantas spokeswoman said yesterday's hydraulic system problem was detected during routine inspections on a Boeing 767 bound from Sydney to Cairns and then on to Tokyo.

It was grounded for almost three hours until the fault was corrected, she said.

"It was quickly rectified and there were no safety implications at any time," she said.

"We experience these sorts of delays right across our business."

Mr Cox said the incidents had nothing to do with the airline's growing reliance on overseas maintenance firms.

He said Qantas employed 7000 engineers in Australia and 2000 of them conducted heavy maintenance.

"So that means the vast majority, and I mean the vast majority, of our work is actually done here in Australia," he said.

by Mark Dunn

SOURCE | News.com.au | Herladsun.com.au