Qantas grounds its A380 fleet after mid-air scare near Singapore

2010-11-04 13:46:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

SYDNEY (BNO NEWS) -- Qantas on Thursday said it will suspend all Airbus A380 flights after a Sydney-bound flight made a dramatic emergency landing in Singapore due to an "uncontained engine failure."

Debris from Qantas flight 32 fell on Indonesia's Batam Island, near Singapore, after residents reported hearing a loud explosion. The airline told BNO News that the plane had problems with one of its four engines when the incident happened.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told a news conference in Sydney that the incident involved "significant engine failure," and that the airline "will suspend those A380 services until we are completely confident that Qantas safety requirements have been met."

According to Joyce, the incident looks like an "uncontained engine failure", which can pose a serious threat to the plane and the passengers as parts exit the engine at high speeds in other directions.

The Qantas A380 aircraft operating QF32 from Singapore to Sydney "experienced an engine issue soon after take off and returned to Singapore," an airline spokesman said earlier. "In line with procedure, the pilot sought priority clearance for its return to Singapore."

There were no reports of casualties on either the ground or aboard the aircraft, which landed safely at Changi Airport in Singapore at around 11.45 a.m. SGT.

"Just emergency landed back in Singapore after engine two blew up at take-off and parts ripped through wings," said Ulf Waschbusch, one of the passenger on board the aircraft.

Qantas flight 32 was on its way from London Heathrow Airport in England to Kingsford Smith Airport in Sydney when the accident happened, but had earlier made a scheduled stopover in Singapore before it continued to Sydney.

A total of 433 passengers and 26 crew members were on board.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-04

Fact, Shoddy materials being used from china etc to reduce cost

Such a new aircraft to have a uncontained failure, not so good, especially after RR had an uncontained failure with testing their 787 powerplant.

Seems Qantas are becoming regulars with this type of failure http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/31/BA021F67JO.DTL&tsp=1

Fact, Shoddy materials being used from china etc to reduce cost

I trust you have some evidence to support that "fact"

You seem to be well ahead of the official investigation - did you contact them yet with your "fact"?

There are some CNN videos about this airplane damage on YouTube:

The statement made by the CEO of Qantas to the press is here on YouTube:

Fact, Shoddy materials being used from china etc to reduce cost

I trust you have some evidence to support that "fact"

You seem to be well ahead of the official investigation - did you contact them yet with your "fact"?

Thank you for addressing the issue. It is both irresponsible and unfair to pass judgement until an investigation is completed.

More YouTube videos on this aeroplane damage and emergency landing:

Qantas flight QF32 on 2010-11-04 Airbus A380 - NBC summary

Qantas flight QF32 on 2010-11-04 Airbus A380 - Mark Rosenker former NTSB Chairman

Close-up photo of damage to the wing:

Source: Blick.ch

Qantas A380 passengers tell of horror as engine failed

Qantas and Singapore Airlines ground their A380 fleets

Justin McCurry and agencies

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 4 November 2010 15.42 GMT

Video

Passengers aboard a Qantas Airways superjumbo forced to make an emergency landing in Singapore today spoke of their horror as they heard a loud bang and watched pieces of engine fall from the plane soon after it took off for Sydney.

The Australian airline immediately grounded all six of its Airbus A380 aircraft – the world's biggest passenger jet – after the incident, in which all 433 passengers and 26 crew emerged unharmed. Officials from Singapore Airlines also announced that it would delay all flights of its Airbus A380 fleet.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/04/qantas-a380-passengers-horror?intcmp=239

-- guardion.co.uk 2010-11-04

And now news of another incident overnight..this time a 747..A coincidence or something else a bit more sinester..as it does coincide with Qantas's 90th year anniversay celebration launch ....Now the union is accusing Qantas of penny pinching on maintenance..either way doesn't look good!