Faulty Windshield Causes Repeated Fires on International Flight, Highlighting Global Safety Concerns

Strategic Insights -

An aviation safety investigation has revealed a faulty windscreen that sparked repeated fires in the cockpit of an international flight near Cairns was not an isolated incident. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau report showed that passengers and crew members were on a Qantas Airbus A330 aircraft from Manila to Sydney when a series of electrical fires broke out on March 22. The incident follows five similar reported cases worldwide, including a flight to the Gold Coast last year. Thankfully, the quick action of the pilots avoided potential dangers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The faulty windscreen caused repeated fires in the cockpit of a Qantas Airbus A330 aircraft near Cairns, putting 147 passengers and 11 crew members at risk.
  • Five similar cases of faulty windshields have been reported worldwide, including a flight to the Gold Coast last year.
  • The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating a windshield fire on June 10, 2009, aboard an Airbus A330 from Osaka, Japan to the Gold Coast.
  • Airbus issued a safety bulletin in May recommending serial numbers of windshields be checked for replacement and recommending replacement of faulty windshields within 900 flight hours.
  • The recommended completion date for the replacement of faulty windshields is by May 2012, although the aircraft operator involved in the incident near Cairns expects the replacement to be completed by the end of this month.
  • The windshield manufacturer, Airbus, informed the ATSB that five similar cases had occurred among A330 aircraft worldwide.

Statistics:

  • 147 passengers and 11 crew members were on the Qantas Airbus A330 aircraft from Manila to Sydney when the fires broke out.
  • The fires broke out at 39,000 feet, about 675km northwest of Cairns.
  • The windscreens affected have a serial number requirement for replacement within 900 flight hours of the ASB safety bulletin.
  • The recommended completion date for the replacement of faulty windshields is by May 2012.
  • The aircraft operator involved in the incident near Cairns expects the replacement to be completed by the end of this month.

Sources:

  • Australian Transport Safety Bureau report, released yesterday.
  • An Australian Transport Safety Bureau report, released June 10, 2009, regarding a windshield fire on an Airbus A330 from Osaka, Japan to the Gold Coast.
  • Airbus safety bulletin, released May 2012, recommending serial numbers of windshields be checked for replacement.
  • Qantas spokesman's statement to air traffic control.