Airbus Industrie Airbus A340-642X plane crash
Toulouse, France
Updated on
The brand new Airbus A340-600 was carrying out engine-run-ups within Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France, and was due to be delivered to Etihad a few
days later. For undetermined reasons, the aircraft accelerated quickly and smashed into a blast concrete barrier. The plane broke in two a few meters
aft the cockpit, and ended tilted on the right and laying on the tail.
Among the 9 people onboard, 2 sustained serous injuries and 2 sustained minor injuries. 1 person on ground has also been seriously injured. There is no
fatality.
Engine-run-ups are usual before aircraft deliveries. It consists in increasing the throttle, sometimes up to full throttle, while monitoring engine
behaviour. The purpose of those tests is to ensure the engines behave as it is designed for, or to tune them. Such tests are performed in dedicated area
surrounded by concrete wall protecting from engine blast. In order to prevent the plane from moving, parking brakes are engaged and wheel blocks are
installed. In case anything goes wrong, the crew must reduce the throttle immediately.