Brand new Etihad A340-600 damaged in Toulouse; several wounded

[Rainboe]

Forget, you can't seriously expect the first requirement of designing and building a run-up area enclosure is to handle a runaway plane? I think the most important requirement is sound proofing. Let's be real! It is not such a likely occurence that it should be priority 1. Do you get fed up that when you drive your car, there is a concrete low wall (pavement) right next to you almost as if it is designed to take your tyres out should you strike it? This is a well designed run-up pan, such events do not happen regularly.

[forget]

If you say so, but re-locating a 1940's tank-trap from the Normandie beaches to an airfield doesn't strike me as very sensible. Particularly when these are just as effective - and a helluva lot cheaper I'd guess.

http://www.blastdeflectors.com/GRE%20Brochure.pdf

And look! Airbus agrees with me! Same company.

This facility in Toulouse was designed for Airbus Industrie specifically for full power engine testing of the A380.



And while on the site - the mystery of the Toulouse 'dance floor' is solved. Guess what! It's the new A-380 run up pad. Proper job

[DuncanF]

Thanks Forget, that answers my question. Not sure what happened to my earlier post asking about this structure. Possibly zapped by over-zealous/humourless mods for inappropriate levity ...

Duncan

[bobmij]

I wonder how much of this aircraft will be salvaged and absorbed back into the production line? I would assume most of the componnents are almost nil time and would present no problem (airframe excepted) in re-use. I think this is a case of making the best of a bad job and that would seem the best way to do it!

[bsieker]

Originally Posted by Rainboe

Forget, you can't seriously expect the first requirement of designing and building a run-up area enclosure is to handle a runaway plane? I think the most important requirement is sound proofing.

If you say so, but re-locating a 1940's tank-trap from the Normandie beaches to an airfield doesn't strike me as very sensible. Particularly when these are just as effective - and a helluva lot cheaper I'd guess.

You're not seriously telling us that a customised high-tech installation by a specialised company is a lot cheaper than just putting up some blunt concrete dams?

And look! Airbus agrees with me! Same company.

This facility in Toulouse was designed for Airbus Industrie specifically for full power engine testing of the A380.

Nowhere in the BDI brochure, a link to which you provided does it mention any other objective for their solutions than noise mitigation and creating suitable wind conditions. The words "safe" and "safety" are curiously absent from their sales blurb.

That does not say anything about whether or not these new installations are any more or any less safe than the old concrete walls, or how much emphasis Airbus puts on safety.

The "mosh pit" for the A380, when closed, doesn't even have an exit, so a runaway aircraft would always hit a wall. (Unlike most GRE installations of BDI's brochure, which are usually open at the aircraft front.)

[aerotransport.org]

Next time they will feed us at the chalets..

[vs69]

Ah she'll do a trip....

[squeaker]

I've spoken to the Line Engineers and they reckon she'll be ready in about 30 mins....

[Golf Charlie Charlie]

It reminds me of the old Roger Bacon comment at the back of Flight magazine : "There'll be a short technical delay, folks."

[FCS Explorer]

soon on sale: the first 4-engine A321 !

[Basil-Fawlty]

Crew Condition Update

To be perfectly honest, looking at that photo presented by .aerotransport.org. it made my skin crawl. I fail to see the sense of humour by some. Any news or update on the condition of the engineers or the entire crew of this doomed taxi event??? Any update will be highly appreciated.
Safe flying to all from Sybil,Polly and Manuel!

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Looking at the last picture, they don't need a ladder that tall now to clean the flight deck windows do they?

[armchairpilot94116]

Its amazing anyone survived in the cockpit and I hope nobody else was in the front . I wonder where the other people were sitting?

[aerotransport.org]

Some gossips:
a) 3 injured, not life threatening, still in hospital
b) GTA (Gendarmerie du Transport Aérien) in charge of investigation - why is the BEA not involved ?
c) rumour says staff from ADAT was acting PIC
d) engines left running until fuel exhausted
e) CVR, DFDR said to have been active
f) investigation said to be centered around the nosewheel steering which was unlocked in order to move out from the area after the tests had been completed, then locked again for an unknown reason putting the aircraft in front of the wall with engines running
/ATDB

[hetfield]

@Golf Charlie
@squeaker
@FCS

[Self Loading Freight]

While we're waiting for a fact or two to leak out, how far will this set back the whole production line? Is there somewhere else to do the engine tests, or is everything on hold for investigation and/or removal of the detritus?

[magicE]

I'm sure they could use the A380 Dance floor previously seen so i wouldnt of thought that there would be much of delay if one at all!

[Tediek]

Looking at the last picture you can speak of a miracle that nobody died. There is simply not much left of the whole front of the aircraft. I read somewhere else that they had difficulties switching of the engine(s) due to the severe damage. Does anyone have any info on this?

[ChristiaanJ]

aerotransport.org,

b) GTA (Gendarmerie du Transport Aérien) in charge of investigation - why is the BEA not involved ?

Same question here.
Usual turf war I suppose.Only three still in hospital at least sounds positive.
I think the photo you posted is the first one to show the scale of how far that cockpit dropped....

[Carpe]

Airbus finally breaks the Sound Barrier!!