In the aftermath of the tragic A400M MSN23 crash of last May in Sevilla, Airbus Defence and Space has resumed deliveries of series Airbus A400M aircraft following the lifting of all remaining flight restrictions on new production aircraft by Spanish regulator DGAM yesterday. As a result, all A400Ms are now cleared for flight provided they have undergone the engine and avionics checks specified by the manufacturer in the Alert Operator Transmission (AOT) of 19 May 2015. Airbus Defence and Space´s own three development aircraft, and the twelve aircraft delivered to customers prior to the accident were not affected by the restrictions.
The production plan for 2015 is under review on the heels of the fatal MSN23 crash but currently Airbus is still targeting a thirteen aircraft delivery for this year, plus up to four more now subject to flight-test results due this summer. Two aircraft which were scheduled for delivery at the time of the accident (MSN19 and 20) are now being delivered with a number of others to follow in the coming weeks.
The Head of Military Aircraft at Airbus, Fernando Alonso said: “We appreciate the Spanish authorities’ timely action in restoring our permission to fly without restriction as well as our customers’ patience and support in recent weeks. We are working hard to bring the schedule back on track while continuing to support the investigation.”
Shortly after, on 19 June last, the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) officially accepted the seventh A400M Atlas for the Armée de l’Air, an air force which has never shown any diffidence about the excellence and reliability of the new European airlifter. This A400M – MSN19 – is also the first series Atlas to be cleared for parachute jumps from the rear ramp.
MSN19 is the thirteenth production A400M out of 174 presently on order. So far seven A400Ms have been delivered to the French Air Force, two to the Turkish Air Force, two to the Royal Air Force, one to the Luftwaffe and one to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
By Jeanne N’Diayé
