Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 21 August 2005
Aircraft Type: Airbus A330-303
Owner/operator: Qantas
Registration Number: VH-QPE
Location: Osaka-Kansai International Airport – ÿ Japan
Phase of Flight: Taxi
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 194
Component Affected: Aircraft TaxiwayAircraft Taxiway
Investigating Agency: ARAICARAIC
Category: Accident
On August 20, 2005, an Airbus A330-303, VH-QPE, operated by Qantas Airways, experienced a minor incident during its flight from Narita to Perth. A warning indicating smoke in the cargo compartment triggered a change of destination to Kansai International Airport. Subsequently, a passenger emergency evacuation using escape slides occurred, resulting in one passenger sustaining serious injury and eight passengers experiencing minor injuries. The aircraft landed at Kansai International Airport without damage.On August 20, 2005, an Airbus A330-303, VH-QPE, operated by Qantas Airways, experienced a minor incident during its flight from Narita to Perth. A warning indicating smoke in the cargo compartment triggered a change of destination to Kansai International Airport. Subsequently, a passenger emergency evacuation using escape slides occurred, resulting in one passenger sustaining serious injury and eight passengers experiencing minor injuries. The aircraft landed at Kansai International Airport without damage.

Description

On August 20 (Saturday), 2005, an Airbus A330-303, registration VH-QPE, operated by Qantas Airways, took off Narita International Airport at 21:38 (JST) as scheduled Flight 70 to Perth International Airport. At around 23:05, a warning was displayed on the electronic centralized aircraft monitor (ECAM) indicating the presence of smoke in the cargo compartment(s). The crew made the decision to change their destination to Kansai International Airport and, at 00:51 on August 21, the aircraft landed at the airport. Subsequently, at around 00:58, on its way to a parking spot, a passenger emergency evacuation was conducted using escape slides on the taxiway. During the evacuation, one passenger was seriously injured and eight passengers sustained minor injuries. There were 194 persons on board including the Captain, 12 other crewmembers and 181 passengers. There was no damage to the aircraft. PROBABLE CAUSE In this accident, it is estimated that, during an emergency evacuation from the aircraft on the ground using slides, one of the passengers sustained serious injury as she fell from the bottom of the slide on her lower back. It is estimated that the factors contributing to what led to the emergency evacuation was the false recognition of fire by the flight crew, as a consequence starting with the occurrence of spurious smoke warnings while the flight crew could not make sure that no fire was present and due to insufficient communication between the flight crew, Kansai Tower controller and Kansai International Airport Co., Ltd.(KIAC) (officers of Airport Operations Department and Security department (fire fighting)) resulting from such as language problems and inaccurate relay of information.

Primary Cause

The emergency evacuation was initiated due to a potential false fire detection by the flight crew, compounded by inadequate communication between the flight crew, Kansai Tower controller, and Kansai International Airport Co., Ltd. (KIAC) officers, leading to language and information discrepancies.The emergency evacuation was initiated due to a potential false fire detection by the flight crew, compounded by inadequate communication between the flight crew, Kansai Tower controller, and Kansai International Airport Co., Ltd. (KIAC) officers, leading to language and information discrepancies.

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