Qantas recently reintroduced its 10th and final Airbus A380 into service after a prolonged storage period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian airline, which had grounded its fleet of superjumbos in 2020, has been gradually returning these aircraft to the skies. However, the return of this particular A380 has been overshadowed by a significant incident: the aircraft was grounded after its first revenue flight post-storage due to wing damage.
The aircraft, registered as VH-OQC and named ‘Paul McGinness,’ made its re-entry into service with flight QF11 from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on December 7. Despite arriving in Los Angeles ahead of schedule, the flight was far from routine. On approach to LAX, part of the aircraft’s wing reportedly peeled apart, a dramatic event captured and shared by high-profile passenger, actor, and host Lynn Gilmartin.
An Eventful Arrival in Los Angeles
VH-OQC’s journey from Sydney began at 6:18 pm local time and concluded with an early arrival at LAX at 12:23 pm, according to Flightradar24. However, the punctual arrival was marred by unexpected events. Australian actor Lynn Gilmartin took to social media to report that “a chunk of the wing snapped off” during the approach. This incident followed an in-flight power issue that affected the aircraft’s entertainment and seat recline systems.
A Qantas spokesperson stated, “A section of the slat on the left wing of one of our A380s was found to be damaged after landing in Los Angeles, Sunday local time. The aircraft operated normally and landed without incident.”
The Aircraft Remains Grounded
Despite her loyalty to Qantas, Gilmartin expressed disappointment on Instagram, noting “it’s been so disappointing to watch the steep decline in customer service, and now safety.” Historically, Qantas has been renowned for its strong safety record. In response to the incident, a Qantas spokesperson confirmed compensation for passengers affected by the lack of in-flight entertainment due to the power issue. They added that the aircraft would be operational again after a part arrives from Dubai, expected by Thursday.
Following the inspection of the damaged wing at LAX, the return flight QF12 was canceled. This flight was scheduled to depart LAX at 9:25 pm on December 7 and arrive in Sydney 15 hours later. The grounding has disrupted Qantas’s efforts to reintegrate its A380 fleet after the pandemic-induced hiatus.
A False Start After Extended Storage
The grounding of VH-OQC is a setback for Qantas, which had invested considerable effort in returning its A380s to service after their COVID-era grounding. According to Planespotters.net, VH-OQC was initially taken out of service in March 2020 and stored in Melbourne and Sydney before being moved to Victorville, California, in July 2020. The aircraft’s return was intended to mark a milestone in Qantas’s recovery strategy.
As the airline awaits the arrival of the necessary replacement part from Dubai, the incident highlights the challenges airlines face in reactivating long-stored aircraft. The situation also underscores the importance of rigorous maintenance and inspection protocols to ensure safety and reliability as airlines ramp up operations post-pandemic.
Looking forward, Qantas remains committed to bringing its A380 fleet back to full strength, balancing the demands of operational efficiency with the need to maintain its reputation for safety and service excellence. The airline’s response to this incident will be closely watched by industry observers and passengers alike.
