CASA planes grounded after engine failure

The army’s Chief of Staff Vlastimil Picek has grounded the military’s CASA planes after one of the new transport aircraft suffered engine failure. The four planes will remain out of operation until the matter has been investigated. The CASA planes which the army bought without a public tender in 2009 have been dogged by problems. The 3.5 billion crown deal was criticized as non-transparent and overpriced. The planes have moreover failed to meet required norms and have not passed all army tests.