Accidents
Faulty Engine Control Software Caused A400M Crash
Airbus D&S says fault was confined to one aircraft, in a final production error.
The UK Royal Air Force is not yet ready to resume flying its first two A400Ms. (Photo: MoD Crown Copyright)
The UK Royal Air Force is not yet ready to resume flying its first two A400Ms. (Photo: MoD Crown Copyright)

The incorrect installation of engine-control software during production caused the crash of the A400M airlifter on May 9, according to the aircraft's manufacturer, Airbus Defence and Space. The European group said that the power from engines one, two and three froze after lift-off, with only engine four responding to the pilots’ throttle inputs. It reported that all aircraft delivered to date have been checked for any similar fault, with none found. “As far as we’re concerned, there’s no reason for the operators not to resume flying,” an Airbus spokesman told AIN.