The Qantas A380 that returned to service after its engine exploded in 2010 has left the US for the first time since COVID to fly to London and Abu Dhabi.
The aircraft, VH-OQA, was stored in the Victorville desert boneyard during the pandemic before flying to LAX in September, and now joins VH-OQG in receiving a cabin upgrade in the UAE.
OQA departed LAX for London Heathrow on 17 November, before flying onwards to Abu Dhabi the next day, both as flight QF6023.
Qantas had a fleet of 12 A380s, and earlier signalled it would scrap two and upgrade the rest of the fleet when COVID restrictions eased.
Already, VH-OQF has been dismantled, with speculation that it will be joined on the scrapheap by VH-OQE
VH-OQB, VH-OQD, VH-OQH, VH-OQK and VH-OQJ have returned to active operations, but VH-OQC, VH-OQI and VH-OQL remain in the desert.
VH-OQA was involved in arguably Australian Aviation’s most serious-ever safety incident in November 2010 when its Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine exploded shortly after it took off, causing a major fire.
Despite significant structural and systems damage, Captain de Crespigny and his colleagues in the flight deck — Qantas’ first A380 and named after Australian aviation legend Nancy-Bird Walton — managed to return to Singapore Changi Airport for a safe landing.
No passengers or crew were injured.
The double-decker superjumbo underwent significant repairs that took 16 months to complete and cost $139 million before it eventually returned to service in April 2012.
Investigators found the failure was due to a fatigue crack in an oil feed-pipe in the number two engine of the aircraft. This led to an internal oil leak and fire, with the turbine disc eventually bursting through the engine casing.
Australian Aviation reported last year how de hero captain Crespigny quietly retired during COVID-19.
He said he took the decision to end his 45-year career after being “stood down and in limbo” following the airline’s decision to stop flying internationally and store its A380s in the Victorville desert boneyard.
Captain de Crespigny was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia after returning the stricken plane to Singapore Changi Airport and helping to save the lives of 440 passengers and 29 crew members on board almost exactly 10 years ago.
Speaking to Traveller, Captain de Crespigny said, “COVID-19 has terminated my 45-year professional flying career.
“I loved flying the remarkable A380 and walking the aisles, meeting the passionate passengers who loved and supported us.
“I’ll miss the teams in the cockpit and cabin that together solved problems from bad weather and aircraft failures through to helping passengers in physical and emotional distress.
“I think the current situation will not improve until borders open, a vaccine is developed permitting high-density seating, and the public’s trust in their destinations are restored.”
