The Qantas Airbus A380 which suffered the failure of its number two Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine shortly after departure from Singapore's Changi Airport earlier today had so far logged around 8,165 flight hours during 831 flight cycles, says Airbus.
The manufacturer adds that it will provide "full technical assistance to the French BEA as well as to the Australian authorities who will be responsible for the accident investigation. A team of specialists from Airbus is being dispatched to Singapore."
The aircraft, registered VH-OQA and carrying manufacturer serial number 14, was delivered to Qantas on 19 September 2008. It was operating flight QF32 to Sydney when the incident occurred, with 440 passengers and 26 crew onboard.
"Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft suffered an engine failure after take-off from Singapore," says Airbus. It adds that it will "make further factual information available as soon as the details have been confirmed. However, the investigation remains the entire responsibility of the relevant authorities."
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
