Qantas blames scare on engines
Source: Agencies |
November 6, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
QANTAS' chief said yesterday a design fault or mechanical failure was probably what caused an engine on one of its Airbus A380s to blow out as it took off, prompting an emergency landing and worldwide safety inspections of the superjumbos.
International air safety officials are investigating what caused the engine failure that ripped metal on the left wing and prompted the most serious safety scare yet on the world's largest and newest airliner.
As the more than 400 passengers from the stricken plane arrived in Australia on new flights, investigators said it was far too early to identify the cause of the problem.
But Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told reporters the national carrier believed that the plane's Rolls-Royce-made engine was at fault, not the level of maintenance to the plane.
"This is an engine issue and the engines have been maintained by Rolls-Royce since they were installed on the aircraft," Joyce told a news conference in Sydney. "We don't believe this is related to maintenance in any way."
One of the A380's four engines blew out about four minutes after the Sydney-bound plane took off from Singapore on Thursday.
Joyce confirmed, however, that another engine failed to shut down after the plane landed. He said the cause of that problem was not known.
Qantas grounded its fleet of six A380s, and Singapore Airlines also took its A380s out of service until safety checks were made. Singapore Airlines said it resumed its A380 flights yesterday after being satisfied of their safety.
Airbus has asked airlines operating A380s with Rolls-Royce engines to carry out safety inspections "to ensure continuous safe operations."
International air safety officials are investigating what caused the engine failure that ripped metal on the left wing and prompted the most serious safety scare yet on the world's largest and newest airliner.
As the more than 400 passengers from the stricken plane arrived in Australia on new flights, investigators said it was far too early to identify the cause of the problem.
But Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told reporters the national carrier believed that the plane's Rolls-Royce-made engine was at fault, not the level of maintenance to the plane.
"This is an engine issue and the engines have been maintained by Rolls-Royce since they were installed on the aircraft," Joyce told a news conference in Sydney. "We don't believe this is related to maintenance in any way."
One of the A380's four engines blew out about four minutes after the Sydney-bound plane took off from Singapore on Thursday.
Joyce confirmed, however, that another engine failed to shut down after the plane landed. He said the cause of that problem was not known.
Qantas grounded its fleet of six A380s, and Singapore Airlines also took its A380s out of service until safety checks were made. Singapore Airlines said it resumed its A380 flights yesterday after being satisfied of their safety.
Airbus has asked airlines operating A380s with Rolls-Royce engines to carry out safety inspections "to ensure continuous safe operations."
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