Relationship To Reported Left Engine Fire Unknown

Spanish low-cost carrier Spanair SA acknowledged Thursday the MD-82 involved in a fatal takeoff crash at Madrid's Barajas International Airport had aborted a previous takeoff attempt, then returned for repairs... but it's unknown whether that fault had anything to do with Wednesday's mishap, that killed 153 of the 172 people onboard the plane.

Bloomberg reports the plane's flight crew noted an air-intake fault, possibly tied to an outside temperature probe, as the plane was preparing to take off from Madrid Wednesday afternoon. The MD-82 returned to the gate and the problem was "isolated" before the aircraft took the runway once again, according to Javier Mendoza, head of operations at the carrier.

It's unknown whether that problem had anything to do with the crash, however. Investigators are focusing their efforts on determining whether the MD-82's left turbofan caught fire as the plane approached rotation speed; the problematic intake was reportedly at the front of the airliner, according to the airline.

"We will not today speculate about the cause of the accident, this is only hindering the formal investigation," said Spanair CEO Officer Marcus Hedblom on Thursday.

As ANN reported, the airliner departed the runway at MAD as it attempted to takeoff for a two-hour flight to the Canary Islands. The airliner broke apart as it struck the ground off the runway, and caught fire.

The accident airliner was 15 years old -- relatively young for an MD-82 -- and was powered by rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217c turbofans. Representatives with the enginemaker, as well as from Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board, are assisting local officials.

Flight 5022 was also operating as a codeshare flight for Germany's Lufthansa, under LH255. Officials say 166 passengers were onboard the MD-82, and six crewmembers. Four of the passengers were also employees with the airline, presumably non-revving on the trip.

Madrid's regional government says 19 people are being treated for burns at city hospitals, with four listed in serious condition.

Spanair is owned by Scandinavian flag carrier SAS... which has been trying to sell the Spanish LCC. Given the likelihood of legal action and other fallout from Wednesday's crash, it's unlikely Spanair will survive long enough find a buyer, said researchers with Standard & Poor's.

FMI: www.spanair.com, www.ntsb.gov, www.boeing.com