PARIS: Wingtip hit grounds A380 demonstration flight

[alberttky 0]

Airbus has scrapped plans for the flying display of its A380 superjumbo jet at the Paris air show after the aircraft’s wingtip "touched a structure" during ground manoeuvres at the Le Bourget airport.

 

The airframer stated the incident on A380 flight test aircraft, MSN 004, occurred near taxiway "Victor" on 19 June at 15:50 local time.

 

Airbus said its experts are inspecting the aircraft, but "it is already confirmed" the aircraft "will not perform" at the show.

 

The grounding occurs as executives from Airbus parent EADS on the eve of the show predicted the A380 programme should start breaking even in 2014-14,

 

Airbus delivered the 50th A380 to Singapore Airlines on 16 June.

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/06/19/358300/paris-wingtip-hit-grounds-a380-demonstration-flight.html

[KC Sim 2]

Does this not sound familiar? In 2007, a similar incident happened when the wingtip of the A380 struck the hangar of Thai Airways International at Suvarnabhumi Airport just before a demonstration flight for VIPs to Chiangmai.

 

The then-President of Thai Airways International quickly declared that the staff towing the A380 were not to be blamed - huh??? - and the plane was just too big.

 

Le Bourget is just a housefly's scream away from Toulouse, and you would have thought Airbus could either send in a different A380 or fly out a wingtip to replace the damaged one. Instead, it chooses to ground the aircraft! If the A380 could eventually fly without one wingtip to Chiangmai, why could this one not fly during the airshow - minus a wingtip - and proving how resilient the aircraft is to hard knocks.

 

An opportunity lost by Airbus here.

 

KC Sim

[alberttky 0]

[alberttky 0]

PARIS: Airbus to fly Korean A380 in Paris air show display

 

 

Airbus is to fly the Korean Air Airbus A380 at the Paris air show today, a substitute for the aircraft damaged in a ground collision on 19 June.

 

The Korean Air jet, fitted with Engine Alliance GP7200 powerplants, will perform at 16:15, said the airframer.

 

It is unclear whether Airbus intends to conduct the same display routine it had planned for the test A380.

 

That aircraft lost a starboard wing fence and damaged its wingtip after striking a building while taxiing after landing.

 

"We've been looking for an alternative solution," said Airbus.

 

Flying the Korean Air jet had been examined as an option, the company said.

 

Using another test A380 had been ruled out because modification work for testing the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine on the jet is too far advanced. Grounding of the display A380 was a "left-footed start" to the Paris air show, said Airbus. "But you'll see us recovering."

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/06/20/358346/paris-airbus-to-fly-korean-a380-in-paris-air-show-display.html

[Ikman Ikreza 0]

A380 F-WWDD wingtip damaged. Looks on fuselage Airbus start using their new logo.

 

 

 

Source : http://pilotnewsmag.com/?p=10159

[alberttky 0]

Looks like it's truly Love at First Sight between the wing tip and the building.

 

Picture of the collision:

http://yfrog.com/h3wimvjj

Edited June 21, 2011 by alberttky

[KC Sim 2]

Love at first flight ... and end up with a love bite!

 

KC Sim

[Mohd Faridz Mohd Yunus 0]

Wow!!that actually looks bad...no wonder they grounded the aircraft.Also,further testament on how BIG the A380 is!!

[alberttky 0]

Wonder if anyone was sitting next to the window when the wing decided to visit...

[Johan Z 0]

What amazed me the most, the two-storey building looks like a miniature next to A380. With all the incidents related to A380 sheer size, I wonder how an A380-900 will appeal to airport operators (and Embraers!).

[Gavin Andrew David 6]

An epic mistake. Unbelievable..

[Nik H. 3]

Don't understand the fuss......The A380 is just 15.5ft longer in span than the B744. Its not all that big compared to the B744. Its size jump is not as significant compared to the time when the B747 was first introduced in the late 60s.....

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

They hit a temporary structure that was there for the show. Hardly the fault of Airbus...

[BC Tam 2]

They hit a temporary structure that was there for the show. Hardly the fault of Airbus...

Oh my, good brew for much finger pointing and blame apportioning

[Radzi 2]

This, plus the AF JFK incident, proved that the wingtip is the most lethal part of the A380.

 

maybe they should provide a wingtip camera, or some sort of sensor to warn the pilot manager of impending wingtip collision.

[Lock SH 0]

Splendid error recovery by the Airbus. KAL's A380 was put up on flying display ........

 

What an amazing view to watch an 'line aircraft' doing some outstanding manouvers ......

 

Apart from A380 and a few military fighter jets, the air display part was pretty boring. IMHO, LIMA series were much better anytime ........

 

 

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

Apart from A380 and a few military fighter jets, the air display part was pretty boring. IMHO, LIMA series were much better anytime ........

 

The real show is actually done in the pavilion where deals are negotiated and made. The air display is just a side distraction.

Edited June 22, 2011 by Mohd Suhaimi Fariz

[Teoh Z Yao 0]

Looks like it's truly Love at First Sight between the wing tip and the building.

 

Picture of the collision:

http://yfrog.com/h3wimvjj

 

 

If I was sitting in the building at the floor, I would be shocked when the wing struck, but delighted to see a wing tip at my finger tips! :-P [just kidding]