An investigation has been launched after a tool was found in the left wing of a Qantas Airbus A380-800 following flights between Australia and the United States.
According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the foreign object was discovered at Sydney Airport (SYD) after the Qantas Airbus A380 returned from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
The ATSB confirmed in an investigation report that the Qantas Airbus A380, registered VH-OQK, had flown two sectors prior to the tool being located.
As part of its investigation, representatives from the ATSB will interview involved parties, examine maintenance records and collect any other relevant information to its inquiry.
“A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken,” said the ATSB.
The 14-year-old A380 has flown with Qantas since 2011. Between February and December 2024, the aircraft was in storage at Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi.
The incident is not the first time that the ATSB has launched an investigation into Qantas following the discovery of a foreign object inside an aircraft.
On February 2, 2024, a compressor turning tool was discovered behind the fan blades of number one engine on a Qantas Airbus A380 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Mechanics at LAX were carrying out a maintenance inspection on the Airbus A380 when the foreign object debris was found.
In an investigation report drafted and published on the ATSB website, investigators said the tool in question was first reported lost on December 6, 2023.