The ATSB has released its second interim factual report into its investigation of an explosion and depressurisation of a Qantas Boeing 747-400 over the South China Sea in July 2008, which has focused on the failure of an oxygen bottle on the aircraft.
“The ATSB’s second interim factual report on this accident, released today, indicates that to date there is no evidence of systemic safety problems with oxygen bottles of the type involved in the accident. Various tests have not been able to replicate the cylinder failure that initiated the accident,” the Bureau said in a statement on November 17.
The report notes that the ATSB has conducted pressure tests on oxygen cylinders from the same manufacturing lot as the failed cylinder, which was lost in the South China Sea, all of which showed that they exceeded the relevant safety specifications.
The ATSB says that it is continuing its investigation into the accident, and expects to conclude the data gathering and analysis aspects of the investigation in early 2010, after which is expects to release its final report.
