Airbus to recommend rudder inspections

Airline Industry Information, March 16, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Airbus, the European aircraft maker, has revealed plans to ask airlines to inspect their aircraft after an incident in which part of the rudder fell off a Air Transat aircraft.

The incident was reportedly reminiscent of the crash in New York in November 2001. On 6 March this year an Air Transat aircraft leaving Cuba for Quebec, Canada lost most of its rudder, though the pilot managed to keep control of the aircraft and returned to Havana.

Safety experts have said that the reason the pilot maintained control of the aircraft was that he didn't need the rudder, as it is mainly used in cross-winds or when an engine fails, The Associated Press reported. It is reportedly very unusual for any part of a rudder to detach from an aircraft.

An investigation into the incident has been launched by the Canadian Transportation Safety Board and a performance engineer from its US counterpart, the National Transportation Safety Board, is taking part in the investigation.

Barbara Kracht, a spokeswoman for Airbus, has said that the company will ask airlines to carry out detailed inspections of A310 and A300 rudders.

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