Air Transat Flight 961
Occupants | 271 |
---|---|
Passengers | 262 |
Crew | 9 |
Fatalities | 0 |
Injuries | 0 |
Survivors | 271 |
Air Transat Flight 961 was an Air Transat flight from Varadero, Cuba to Quebec City, Canada on March 6, 2005. The aircraft experienced a structural failure in which the rudder detached in flight. The flight crew were able to regain enough control of the aircraft to return safely to Varadero. As of March 2020[update], the Airbus A310-308 is no longer in service.[2][3]
The investigation that followed determined that the manufacturer's inspection procedure for the composite rudder was not adequate.[4] Inspection procedures for composite structures on airliners were changed because of this accident.
Event
Cause
Although most of the
The Transportation Safety Board found that inspection program of composite rudders was inadequate.[5] In particular, the durability of the rudder was questioned. Air Transat Flight 961 provided new insights into rudder problems on Airbus A300-600, Airbus A300-600R, and Airbus A310 aircraft.[6]
Aftermath
The aircraft was repaired and operated until its ultimate retirement. The accident aircraft, fin number 303, is currently retired by Air Transat. The dated aircraft was replaced by the airline with the more modern and efficient Airbus A321neo. All Airbus A310 aircraft were retired from Air Transat as of March 31, 2020.
See also
References
- ^ "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register (C-GPAT)". Transport Canada.
- ^ "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft History Details". Transport Canada. 2009-11-18. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
- ^ "Flight Activity History (C-GPAT)". FlightAware.com. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
- ^ a b c "Aviation Investigation Report A05F0047, Loss of Rudder in Flight, Air Transat Airbus A310-308 C-GPAT, Miami, Florida, 90 nm S, 06 March 2005" (PDF). Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). 2007-11-22. A05F0047. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Airbus inspection program inadequate at time of incident: Board". Toronto Star. November 23, 2007.
- ^ "A310 Loses Rudder, Prompts Fleetwide Inspections, Inquiry". Aviation Today. March 21, 2005. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
External links
- Rose, David (March 31, 2005). "What made an Airbus rudder snap in mid-air?". The Guardian.
- "Accident Photo Gallery: Air Transat Flight 961". AirDisaster.Com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-30.
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