We all have bad days at work, but the worker at the Airbus Toulouse factory responsible for this disaster [pictured right] must must have thought this was the worst day in their lives.

Hardly a "don't tell anyone, they won't notice scenario", some of you may have seen this last week, but it appears what happened is that Airbus engineers were engine testing an A340 600 aircraft, prior to delivery to Etihad, who like many other carriers are desperate for the aircraft, when it appears the aircraft started moving and it hurled into the sound barrier, breaking the nose off the aircraft.

Apparently the aircraft is write off and it appears that Airbus does not have any 430 600's in production and are not making any more, so leaving them and Etihad with bit of a dilemma.

The following is reportedly a genuine message from within Airbus: -

QXTBS7X 201546
FROM : AIRBUS FLIGHT SAFETY DEPARTMENT TOULOUSE

SUBJECT: A340-600 - MSN 856 - ACCIDENT IN PRODUCTION
OUR REF.: F-WWCJ AIT 2 DATED 20th OF NOVEMBER 2007
PREVIOUS REF: F-WWCJ AIT 1 DATED 16th OF NOVEMBER 2007

THIS AIT IS AN UPDATE OF PREVIOUS AIT N?1 CONCERNING THE A340-600
PRODUCTION AIRCRAFT MSN 856 INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN AIRBUS PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN TOULOUSE ON THE 15TH NOVEMBER 2007 AT 17:00 LOCAL TIME.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS ACCORDING TO THE RECORDERS,
WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR RELEASE BY THE FRENCH INVESTIGATION
AUTHORITIES (BEA).

FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES BEFORE THE END OF THE EVENT, ALL FOUR ENGINES EPR WAS BETWEEN 1.24 AND 1.26 WITH PARKING BRAKE ON AND WITHOUT GROUND CHOCKS.

THE ALTERNATE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. (WITH PARKING BRAKE ON, BRAKE PRESSURE IS SUPPLIED BY ALTERNATE).

13 SECONDS BEFORE THE IMPACT THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO MOVE.

WITHIN 1 OR 2 SECONDS THE CREW APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL INPUTS AND SELECTED PARKING BRAKE OFF.

THESE ACTIONS LED THE NORMAL BRAKE PRESSURE TO INCREASE TO ITS
NORMAL VALUE.

2 SECONDS PRIOR BEFORE THE IMPACT, ALL 4 ENGINE THRUST LEVERS WERE
SELECTED TO IDLE.

THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE CONTAINMENT WALL AT A GROUND SPEED OF 30 KTS.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRCRAFT SYSTEM OR ENGINE MALFUNCTION.

AIRBUS REMINDS ALL OPERATORS TO STRICTLY ADHERE TO AMM PROCEDURES
WHEN PERFORMING ENGINE GROUND RUNS

ENGINE GROUND RUNS AT HIGH POWER ARE NORMALLY CONDUCTED ON A SINGLE
ENGINE WITH THE ENGINE IN THE SAME POSITION ON THE OPPOSITE WING OPERATED AT A LIMITED THRUST SETTING TO AVOID DAMAGE TO THE AIFRAME

WHEEL CHOCKS ARE TO BE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE TEST.

YANNICK MALINGE
VICE PRESIDENT FLIGHT SAFETY
AIRBUS

I wonder who is getting the blame for this, if these guys are stil working for Airbus and if the cost has been deducted from their wages?

Interesting indeed and remember what that driving instructor told you..always check your handbrake..........or in this case check your chocks!!

A Report by the FlyingMole