Accident de l'Airbus A340 à Toronto - Vol AF 358

ACCIDENT INFORMATION TELEX

FROM : AIRBUS CUSTOMER SERVICES TOULOUSE TX530526F
TO : ALL A300/A310/A300-600/A319/A320/A321/A330/A340/A318/A340-500 /A340-600 OPERATORS


ACCIDENT INFORMATION TELEX - ACCIDENT INFORMATION TELEX
SUBJECT: AF358 A340-300 ACCIDENT

OUR REF.: AF358 AIT 3 DATED 17th August 2005

OUR PREVIOUS REF.: - AF358 AIT 1 / AF358 AIT 2

The preliminary analysis of the DFDR data indicates the following sequence of events:

The short final and landing were performed manually with the autopilot (AP) and autothrust (ATHR) disconnected at about 300 feet AGL. The aircraft was in configuration FULL with auto-brake selected to MED.

There was a right variable crosswind of about 20 kts and a tail wind component during the final stage of the approach.

At the time of touchdown, the airspeed was 143 kts and the ground speed 148 kts. Visibility was reported to be 0.5 to 0.25 NM in heavy rain.

The touchdown zone is located approximately 4000 feet from the threshold of the 9000-foot runway.

Following the MLG touchdown, the ground spoilers normally extended.

Soon after touchdown, the autobrake was overridden upon pilot maximum brake pedal inputs which were kept to the end.

Consistent with the tyre marks left on the runway, the DFDR confirms that brake pressure was normally applied to the brakes and that the antiskid function operated normally.

Upon activation, the 4 engines thrust reversers fully deployed and remained in this position until the aircraft came to a stop.

At the end of the runway the aircraft ground speed was 79 kts.

Based on the preliminary DFDR analysis and consistent with on- site observations:

the braking performances are consistent with a contaminated runway condition in line with heavy rain conditions.
there is no indication that any aircraft systems or engine anomalies existed at the time of the accident.
The detailed investigation work will continue under the leadership of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
At this stage of the investigation, Airbus has no specific recommendations to give to operators.

When appropriate and upon Canadian TSB approval, additional information about this event will be issued through the normal Airbus to Operators communication channels.

YANNICK MALINGE
VICE PRESIDENT FLIGHT SAFETY
AIRBUS