The line continues! First flight test of an A400M since the crash
(B2)"The line continues against all odds, with its exploits but also its dramas". This was the motto of Aéropostale, as Jean Mermoz recounted in his memoirs, after the accident which had struck a plane belonging to his company, a Late 28 departure from Buenos Aires, in which had taken place the station manager of Porto Allegre, Victor Hamm. This seems to be that of Airbus today (which has its headquarters in Toulouse like its illustrious predecessor Latécoère).
Don't dwell on a failure
Just a few days after the MSN23 crash, one of its devices destined for Turkey, the European company wanted to show that life goes on. A test flight took place on Tuesday (May 12). " The MSN4 took off from Toulouse at 14:45 p.m. and landed in Seville 1 hour 50 minutes later “Said the press release from the European aircraft manufacturer. " A regular test flight planned before the accident ". With a distinguished guest on board. Fernando Alonso, the director of Airbus Defense & Space Military Aircraft, in person and acting "as a flight test engineer".
A tribute to the crew
« The crew would have liked these flights to continue. This theft has taken place. This is our tribute said Fernando Alonso. The A400M flight test program continues unless or until any evidence suggests it is not safe to fly”. " So far, no evidence has emerged underlines Airbus. Note that Airbus has five test aircraft A400M : three are currently in service and two more have been removed. All of this five planes have accumulated more 2700 flights et more 7500 flight hours.
The investigation begins
Spanish authorities have confirmed that the two black boxes have been found. Spanish military authorities also informed Airbus Defense and Space on May 12 that, as a precautionary measure and pending investigation of the accident, they were suspending " temporarily » the flight permit for aircraft awaiting delivery. While two A400M customers (Germany and the United Kingdom) have decided to ground their aircraft, Spain and France to some extent have confirmed that they are keeping the aircraft in operation.
(NGV)
