A Qantas A380 returning to long-haul service has been grounded in Los Angeles after damage was discovered on one of its wing slats during its comeback flight from Sydney. The aircraft landed safely, but the incident prompted immediate inspections and the cancellation of its return sector.
Wing Slat Damage Discovered Mid-Flight
The Airbus A380, registered VH-OQC, was operating flight QF11 when passengers noticed damage forming on a section of the left wing’s leading-edge slat. The part assists with low-speed operations, and a portion appeared to have separated mid-air. The aircraft continued to Los Angeles without performance issues and made a safe landing.
After arrival, engineers examined the affected section and confirmed the damage was isolated to the slat rather than a structural component. The aircraft was removed from service for detailed checks, marking an unexpected setback during its first commercial mission after years in storage.
Aircraft Newly Returned from Long-Term Storage
VH-OQC’s reactivation followed nearly six years out of regular service. The jet had been parked in the California desert during the pandemic and later underwent extended maintenance in Abu Dhabi. Qantas had undertaken what it described as one of the largest engineering programs in its history to restore the A380, with extensive work completed on major systems and cabin fixtures.
The aircraft was intended to provide extra capacity on high-demand international routes during the year-end season. Its return had been positioned as part of the airline’s broader A380 recovery plan, making the technical issue unexpected for both crews and passengers.
Passenger Accounts Shared on Social Media
Several passengers described the incident online, with traveller Lynn Gilmartin posting a video showing the damaged section of the wing. Her footage captured the missing portion of the slat and quickly gained attention across social platforms. Other passengers reported unrelated cabin issues, such as seat malfunctions and in-flight entertainment outages, although these did not affect flight operations.
These posts circulated widely shortly after landing, drawing public attention to the technical problem and raising questions about the aircraft’s condition during its comeback service.
Qantas Confirms Safety Was Maintained
Qantas stated that the damage did not compromise the safety of the flight and involved a non-structural component. The airline said the crew were aware of the issue before landing and followed established procedures. Engineers in Los Angeles inspected the aircraft and determined that the slat assembly would need replacement before the jet could depart.
Engineers examined the A380’s wing slats after crews detected damage on arrival in Los Angele
To expedite repairs, Qantas arranged for a replacement part to be flown into Los Angeles. Until installation and testing are completed, VH-OQC will remain grounded at LAX. The airline said it would conduct further assessments once repairs were finalised.
Flight Cancellation and Passenger Disruptions
The scheduled return flight, QF12 to Sydney, was cancelled following the inspection. Travellers affected by the disruption received options that included rebooking on later services. Qantas also issued compensatory Frequent Flyer points or credits as part of its disruption policy. Some passengers, including former Australian ambassador Joe Hockey, expressed frustration on social media after receiving notice of the cancellation.
The grounded aircraft led to schedule adjustments and a cancelled return service to Sydney
The incident added pressure to an already busy peak-season schedule, as the airline had planned to use the restored A380 to support high-demand international operations.
Ongoing Assessment by Authorities
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed it had been notified and was awaiting Qantas’ initial report before determining the next steps. At this stage, there has been no directive for further inspections across the A380 fleet. The investigation will examine the sequence of events, including the slat’s condition before departure and any contributing factors linked to the aircraft’s long period of storage and refurbishment.
Qantas engineers will also review the maintenance records associated with the jet’s extended return-to-service work, which included heavy checks, system replacements and cabin upgrades.
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Maintenance Program and Future Operations
The A380’s restoration required more than 100,000 engineering hours, including major structural checks and landing gear overhauls. The airline had expected the aircraft to operate without interruption during the holiday period, which is traditionally one of the busiest times for long-haul travel.
Once repairs are completed and approved, VH-OQC is expected to return to scheduled operations. Until then, Qantas will adjust its network and use spare aircraft where possible to manage capacity.
