Initial investigations have determined that water in a generator control unit led to the loss of electrical power on a Qantas Airways Boeing 747-400 earlier this week.
The Oneworld alliance carrier says in a statement that “the incident was triggered by water entering the generator control unit which caused loss of power. The aircraft had automatically reverted to standby power”. It does not elaborate.
Qantas confirmed basic details of the 7 January incident earlier today, saying it involved a 747-400 carrying 344 passengers which lost electrical power while on descent into the Thai capital Bangkok, but it gave few details.
It says now following intense media interest: “As a precaution, Qantas has inspected its entire 747-400 fleet and all of these aircraft have been cleared to fly.” It also says Boeing will be notifying all 747-400 operators of the incident.
“As is normal practice, we are conducting our own investigation as well as working with Boeing, the ATSB [Australian Transport Safety Bureau] and CASA [Civil Aviation Safety Authority] on their investigations,” it adds.
“A more detailed report on the incident will be released by the ATSB in due course.”
Qantas says the aircraft is now back in normal operation following “stringent inspections and testing in Bangkok before being cleared to fly”.
Source: fl;ightglobal.com's sister premium news site Air Transport Intelligence news
*Lead picture ©AirTeamImages.com (at Don Muang Airport, Bangkok, Thailand)
Source: FlightGlobal.com
