Qantas A380-842 VH-OQA (014) rolls out on Rwy 25L at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). (Photo by Michael Carter)
Qantas was forced to withdraw its three A380s from service Monday because of unrelated fuel system problems that came after what had been described as the best entry into service of any aircraft with Australia's national airline.
One A380, QF's first, had technical troubles in Sydney Saturday and was delayed 19 hr. before taking off for London Heathrow. On the return trip, the aircraft suffered a fuel leak and passengers were transferred 12 hr. later to a 747-400. Engineers in London fixed the leak and the A380 was back in service yesterday.
The remaining A380s were removed from service due to fuel system problems and were returned to service yesterday after fixes were made. The airline stated that two A380s were declared unserviceable with a "fuel tank indication system problem." One QF engineer who spoke to ATWOnline said that the issue related to the Fuel Quantity Indicating System and some microbiological contamination, which resulted in faulty FQIS readings.
Since entering service in October 2007, the 13 A380s flying with Singapore Airlines, Emirates and QF have flown 31,750 hr. and 3,300 revenue flights, with 97.8% leaving on time.
(Air Transport World - ATWOnline)
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