A380 evacuation test successful, only 32 injured

[indy007]

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EUROPEAN aircraft maker Airbus has called the test evacuation of its new A380 double-decker airliner a success, even though 32 people were injured.

"One passenger suffered a broken leg and there were some minor injuries," said Airbus chief operating officer and head of the A380 program Charles Champion.

There were 873 people involved in the evacuation test and, despite the injuries, Airbus said it was pleased with the result.

A spokesman for the company said an earlier statement saying a slide had deflated had been sent in error.

"All slides worked and the number of injured people is in line with what to expect with a trial of this size," spokesman David Voskuhl said.

During the trial, all 873 participants were able to leave the aircraft and reach the ground within the 90 seconds prescribed, with half of the 16 doors in operation.

The trial was performed in darkness and filmed by infra-red cameras. Participants did not know beforehand the doors and slides they should use. Injured passengers were treated by the medical emergency and first aid services on the site.

The Hamburg test was under the supervision of the European certification authority and in the presence of a representative from the US Federal Aviation Authority, which is part of the certification procedure.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by indy007
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Thats not uncommon for that type of test, and considering the number of people, the percentage seems pretty par for the course. (Shrugs)  I find it amazing that they were able to unload that many in under 90 seconds! (Maybe those last 32 were shoved out! )

[Mickey1992]

90 seconds with half of doors closed?!?  Wow.

I have heard that these tests are all conducted with fit people in their 20s.  Is that still the case?  (ie. no fat people, children, or elderly)

[indy007]

Yeah no joke. I saw the headline, then read the actual numbers. 1 person per open door every 1.2 seconds is really quick. Takes me longer than that just to get out of the car.

[Fishu]

I like reading articles of the tomorrow..

[Dinger]

It's an artificial test though. The participants knew they were going to leave the aircraft in a hurry, they paid attention to the briefing, they knew half the doors would be non functional, and they didn't have any hand luggage with them.
Those are four things that aren't the case in real-life evacuations.

But yeah, it's the same drill, airbus or otherwise.

[Yeager]

80 seconds.  Only half the doors available were actually used....

Was a significant success.  

Im proud of the aeroeuros, they have studied the master and learned well.  Its a beautiful plane.

[straffo]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
Thats not uncommon for that type of test, and considering the number of people, the percentage seems pretty par for the course. (Shrugs)  I find it amazing that they were able to unload that many in under 90 seconds! (Maybe those last 32 were shoved out! )

there is a chainsaw onboard ... just in case

[Hangtime]

Straffo! Good ta see yah, buddie!

Originally posted by straffo
there is a chainsaw onboard ... just in case

I suspect thats aboard to cut the roast beef and open peanut bags in business class.

[Schwein]

The A380 seems to become a commercial success as well. Airbus figures it has to sell 250 A380s to break even. Now, 16 months before the first one is scheduled to enter service 160 A380s are on order, and a new stretched 900 pax version is in development. Looks good for Airbus, but that might change quickly of course if they screw up something further down the road.

[straffo]

Originally posted by Hangtime
Straffo! Good ta see yah, buddie!

 

I suspect thats aboard to cut the roast beef and open peanut bags in business class.

Didn't had the time to write back , but your and others mail made me think about my attitude this WE

I think you deserve a beer when it will be possible

[Dinger]

Well, I thought 250 was the initial number; they've since had to cut some deals for some early prestige players, plus the penalties for delivery delays (we'll see about weight).  So it's more like 350-400 for break even.
They've got a long way to go before they hit their numbers.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Dinger
Well, I thought 250 was the initial number; they've since had to cut some deals for some early prestige players, plus the penalties for delivery delays (we'll see about weight).  So it's more like 350-400 for break even.
They've got a long way to go before they hit their numbers.

Correct. Last assumptions were 2012. But they will break even, even if its at the cost of European Union Tax dollars.

[Schwein]

Could be, I don't know. Just heard the 250 figure in the BBC report.

[RAIDER14]

Originally posted by Mickey1992
90 seconds with half of doors closed?!?  Wow.

I have heard that these tests are all conducted with fit people in their 20s.  Is that still the case?  (ie. no fat people, children, or elderly)

They probaly only used skinny people to cheat through the Test because the FAAwon't let the 380 into the U.S. until it passes that test