A380...the wrong type of headlines...

cyrusdvirus

(CNN) -- An A380 superjumbo bound for Sydney came loose from a tow truck and rolled onto the grass beside a runway in Singapore.


Singapore Airlines was the first carrier in the world to operate the double-decker aircraft.

No-one was injured in the incident involving the world's biggest airliner, a Singapore Airlines spokesman said, but passengers were taken off so the plane could be repositioned and inspected for any damage.

A truck being used to push back the plane in preparation for the flight "experienced some form of failure" causing it disconnect from the aircraft, a Singapore Airlines spokesman said.

"As a consequence of the failure on the truck, the aircraft ... came into contact with the grass verge off the airport tarmac. The aircraft was not under its own power at the time," he said.

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"It is too early at this time to know the cause of the incident but Singapore Airlines will investigate this quickly, and is filing reports with the appropriate Singapore authorities," the spokesman said.

The airline made arrangements for as many customers as possible to continue on their journey from Changi Airport to Sydney aboard a Boeing 747-400.

Most passengers departed for Sydney on a new flight early Friday morning, while some others flew to alternate destinations such as Melbourne and Brisbane on existing flights.

"The remaining customers, about 10 of them, have left, or will be leaving, for Sydney today," the spokesman said.

Singapore Airlines received its first A380 in October last year to become the first carrier in the world to operate the double-decker aircraft, which it is currently using for the Singapore-Sydney route.

Changi Airport, which is home to the Singapore Airlines A380 fleet, has declared itself ready to handle the plane. It widened and lengthened existing runways and widened runway shoulders to allow the plane to maneuver.



Hopefully this is a one off thing. This big bird needs all the good headlines she can muster

Neworder79

It was a problem with the push back equipment, report says nothing to do with the A380, could have been any aircraft.

The headlines have actually been very good for the A380 since launch with Sydney - Singapore flights running without any tec problems since November and Singapore Airlines reporting lower than expected fuel usage and efficient running. They are receiving a second aircraft this week.

Foggy43

I would like to know why the A380 continued to roll after becoming disconnected. Brake or brake accumultor failure on the A380. Push back comms failure with the flight deck. From many years of push back experience with a few disconnections it has always been a failure on the aircraft. Luckily always uneventul. Comms to the flight crew 'Brakes On' rectify problem and continue.

Lets wait for the insurance investigators to do their work.

Edit: The BBC report is more confuing http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7182496.stm