ASA Temporarily Grounds 60 CRJ-200

Andrew Compart andrew_compart@aviationweek.com

Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines temporarily grounded about 60 of its 112 CRJ-200 aircraft in the overnight hours March 31 for reinspection of their engines.

ASA began the reinspections late March 31 and expects to complete the work and have all of the aircraft back in service by mid-morning tomorrow, an airline spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said the aircraft were grounded--and the FAA notified--after a routine internal paperwork audit by ASA uncovered the need for immediate reinspections to comply with the engine manufacturer's maintenance recommendations. The CRJ-200s use GE engine CF34-3B1.

In addition to its 112 CRJ-200 aircraft, ASA also operates 38 CRJ-700s and two CRJ-900s.

The grounding, of course, caused disruptions for Delta Connection customers. ASA and Delta officials said they tried to minimize the disruptions by working together to rebook customers on other Delta Connection carriers.

A Delta spokesman said the airline also redirected some Delta Connection services by other carriers to help with those efforts.

ASA is one of nine Delta Connection carriers (three of which are Delta subsidiaries).

ASA serves 110 markets in 30 states with more than 800 daily flights, predominantly into and out of Delta's Atlanta hub. It also offers some services out of Cincinnati.