The new Airbus A380 'superjumbo' has suffered its first ding. The incident happened over the weekend at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. The aircraft was preparing to depart on a demonstration flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and was being pushed back from its parking space when the winglet on the tip of one of the behemoth's wings hit the door of a Thai Airlines maintenance hangar. No one was injured in the incident.The Thai News Agency reports these details:
Terry Lutz, the aircraft’s captain said the accident could have resulted from miscommunication between the pilots and ground staff. The damage would not pose any effect on the plane's safety and potential because the damaged winglet was removed before the plane took off.According to the Thai News Agency, several prominent personalities were among the passengers on board, including Royal Thai Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukphasuk, senior Thai Airways officials, and a number of journalists.
He said the damage would not affect the plane's aerodynamic system and the safety of passengers.
Edouard Ullmo, Airbus sales executive vice president for Asia-Pacific and Africa, said the accident was minor and could happen anywhere in the world.
However, he said test flights in Vietnam, Hong Kong and South Korea would continue as planned although the plane would fly without left wing.
