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| Fatal A400M crash linked to data-wipe mistake | Fatal A400M crash linked to data-wipe mistake |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A military plane crash in Spain was probably caused by computer files being accidentally wiped from three of its engines, according to investigators. | |
| Plane-maker Airbus discovered anomalies in the A400M's data logs after the crash, suggesting a software fault. | Plane-maker Airbus discovered anomalies in the A400M's data logs after the crash, suggesting a software fault. |
| And it has now emerged that Spanish investigators suspect files needed to interpret its engine readings had been deleted by mistake. | And it has now emerged that Spanish investigators suspect files needed to interpret its engine readings had been deleted by mistake. |
| This would have caused the affected propellers to spin too slowly. | This would have caused the affected propellers to spin too slowly. |
| The aeroplane crashed near Seville, during a test flight on 9 May, killing four crew members on board. | The aeroplane crashed near Seville, during a test flight on 9 May, killing four crew members on board. |
| Several countries that had already accepted deliveries of the plane - including the UK - grounded them following the accident. | Several countries that had already accepted deliveries of the plane - including the UK - grounded them following the accident. |
| However, Airbus has announced it plans to fly one of its own A400M aircraft at the Paris Air Show next week. | However, Airbus has announced it plans to fly one of its own A400M aircraft at the Paris Air Show next week. |
| "We have complete confidence in the A400M, and we are delighted to fly our demo as planned," said Airbus executive Fernando Alonso in a statement. | "We have complete confidence in the A400M, and we are delighted to fly our demo as planned," said Airbus executive Fernando Alonso in a statement. |
| Stuck in idle | Stuck in idle |
| The latest revelations about the investigation were first reported by the Reuters news agency. | The latest revelations about the investigation were first reported by the Reuters news agency. |
| It said the focus of the inquiry was a theory that files known as "torque calibration parameters" had been accidentally deleted during a software installation process ahead of the plane's first flight. | It said the focus of the inquiry was a theory that files known as "torque calibration parameters" had been accidentally deleted during a software installation process ahead of the plane's first flight. |
| A source later confirmed this to the BBC. | A source later confirmed this to the BBC. |
| The control systems of the A400M aircraft are heavily automated. | The control systems of the A400M aircraft are heavily automated. |
| Each engine is run by a separate computer called an Electronic Control Unit. | Each engine is run by a separate computer called an Electronic Control Unit. |
| The ECUs take the pilot's inputs and make the engines they control respond in the optimum way. | The ECUs take the pilot's inputs and make the engines they control respond in the optimum way. |
| The parameter files are used by the ECUs to interpret sensor readings about the turning force generated by each engine - the torque - which is used to make the attached propellers spin. | The parameter files are used by the ECUs to interpret sensor readings about the turning force generated by each engine - the torque - which is used to make the attached propellers spin. |
| Without the files, the ECUs cannot make sense of this data. | Without the files, the ECUs cannot make sense of this data. |
| This would explain why three of the plane's four engines did not respond properly to the crew's attempts to adjust their power settings shortly after lift-off. | This would explain why three of the plane's four engines did not respond properly to the crew's attempts to adjust their power settings shortly after lift-off. |
| Airbus has already confirmed that its pilots had tried switching the malfunctioning engines into "flight idle" mode - their lowest power setting - in an attempt to tackle the problem. | Airbus has already confirmed that its pilots had tried switching the malfunctioning engines into "flight idle" mode - their lowest power setting - in an attempt to tackle the problem. |
| Without the parameter files, the engines would have been left stuck in this mode. | Without the parameter files, the engines would have been left stuck in this mode. |
| This is because the planes were deliberately designed to prevent out-of-control engines powering back up, to avoid them causing other problems. | This is because the planes were deliberately designed to prevent out-of-control engines powering back up, to avoid them causing other problems. |
| It was not foreseen that three propellers would be affected simultaneously, making it impossible to keep the plane airborne. | It was not foreseen that three propellers would be affected simultaneously, making it impossible to keep the plane airborne. |
| "We are working closely with the official investigation, and we will act in accordance with the information that is discovered but are not able to discuss the findings," a spokesman for Airbus told the BBC. | "We are working closely with the official investigation, and we will act in accordance with the information that is discovered but are not able to discuss the findings," a spokesman for Airbus told the BBC. |
| Spain's Ministry of Defence, which is leading the investigation, has said it is not permitted to discuss the matter. | Spain's Ministry of Defence, which is leading the investigation, has said it is not permitted to discuss the matter. |
| Grounded planes | Grounded planes |
| A400M planes were created to give Europe's Nato partners independent access to heavy aircraft to transport troops and large weaponry. | A400M planes were created to give Europe's Nato partners independent access to heavy aircraft to transport troops and large weaponry. |
| The UK, France, Malaysia, Turkey and Germany have already taken deliveries of the plane. | The UK, France, Malaysia, Turkey and Germany have already taken deliveries of the plane. |
| The accident involved a model built for the Turkish Air Force. | The accident involved a model built for the Turkish Air Force. |
| While the investigation continues, Spain has prohibited Airbus from flying other new A400M planes, meaning it cannot carry out the test flights required for dozens of uncompleted orders. | While the investigation continues, Spain has prohibited Airbus from flying other new A400M planes, meaning it cannot carry out the test flights required for dozens of uncompleted orders. |
| The longer the inquiry continues, the greater the financial consequences will be, as Airbus will not be paid until those deliveries occur. | The longer the inquiry continues, the greater the financial consequences will be, as Airbus will not be paid until those deliveries occur. |
| Airbus was already under pressure because the A400M project is years behind schedule and hugely over budget. | Airbus was already under pressure because the A400M project is years behind schedule and hugely over budget. |
| The company can, however, continue to fly its own existing "development" A400M aircraft. | The company can, however, continue to fly its own existing "development" A400M aircraft. |
| It will be one of these planes that appears at the air show in Le Bourget next week. | It will be one of these planes that appears at the air show in Le Bourget next week. |