Move Follows Fatal Accident May 9

Airbus Defense and Space has sent an Alert Operator Transmission (AOT) to all operators of the A400M informing them about specific checks to be performed on the fleet.

The move follows an accident May 9 involving an A400M that resulted in four fatalities.

To avoid potential risks in any future flights, Airbus Defense and Space has informed the operators about necessary actions to take. In addition, these results have immediately been shared with the official investigation team.

The AOT requires Operators to perform one-time specific checks of the Electronic Control Units (ECU) on each of the aircraft’s engines before next flight and introduces additional detailed checks to be carried out in the event of any subsequent engine or ECU replacement.

Airbus said the AOT results from Airbus Defense and Space’s internal analysis and is issued as part of the Continued Airworthiness activities, and is not a result of the on-going official investigation.

Reuters reports that sources close to the investigation said that the probe will likely focus on potential problems with the system installation rather than a problem with the actual design. No information from the airplane's Flight Data or Cockpit Voice Recorders has been released. An Airbus spokeswoman said that the measure is "precautionary."

(Image from file)

FMI: www.airbus.com