This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/airbus-a320-egyptair-flight-ms804-missing-history-of-the-passenger-plane-mediterranean-a7037181.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Airbus A320: How safe is the plane involved in the EgyptAir crash? Airbus A320: How safe is the plane involved in the EgyptAir crash?
(35 minutes later)
The Airbus A320 - one of which has disappeared over the Mediterranean Sea with 66 people on board - is a short-haul workhorse with one of the industry's best safety records. The Airbus A320 - one of which has disappeared over the Mediterranean Sea with 66 people on board - is one of the two workhorses of short- and mediium-haul flying. It entered service in 1988, much later than its rival, the Boeing 737. But it has proved extremely popular with airlines and passengers, and nearly 7,000 have been delivered. The airline with the biggest fleet of A320s (and its derivatives, the A318, A319 and A321) is American Airlines, and easyJet has a very large fleet. 
The model is a twin-engine, single-aisle plane seating 150 passengers in a standard two-class configuration. It is powered by CFM 56-5A1 engines.
It comes from the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321.
Follow the latest live updates hereFollow the latest live updates here
The 6,000-strong fleet has accumulated more than 150 million flight hours in over 85 million flights. According to AirSafe.com, there have been 14 fatal crashes in over 85 million flights.
While accidents caused by mechanical failure are rare, A320s have been involved in 68 incidents since being introduced in 1988, according to the Aviation Safety Network. A male passenger hijacked an Egyptair A320 on a domestic flight and forced it to land in Cyprus in March. None of the 64 crew and passengers on board the EgyptAir flight from Alexandria to Cairo were harmed.
A male passenger hijacked a plane and forced it to make an unauthorised landing in Cyprus in March. None of the 64 crew and passengers on board the EgyptAir flight from Alexandria to Cairo were harmed.
In March last year, 150 passengers and crew died when co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed Germanwings flight 4U9525 into the French Alps.In March last year, 150 passengers and crew died when co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed Germanwings flight 4U9525 into the French Alps.
Lubitz had locked the captain out of the cockpit and deliberately set the plane on a collision course with the mountainside.Lubitz had locked the captain out of the cockpit and deliberately set the plane on a collision course with the mountainside.
An Airbus A320 operated by AirAsia Indonesia crashed into the Java Sea on its way from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore in December 2014. All 162 people on board Flight QZ8501 were killed.An Airbus A320 operated by AirAsia Indonesia crashed into the Java Sea on its way from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore in December 2014. All 162 people on board Flight QZ8501 were killed.
The accident was caused by a problem with the rudder control system, coupled with the pilots' response, according to Indonesian investigators.The accident was caused by a problem with the rudder control system, coupled with the pilots' response, according to Indonesian investigators.
An A320 ditched into the Hudson River in New York after hitting a flock of geese and suffering an engine failure in January 2009.An A320 ditched into the Hudson River in New York after hitting a flock of geese and suffering an engine failure in January 2009.
Captain Chesley Sullenberger was hailed a hero after safely landing the aircraft in the water. None of the 150 passengers and crew were seriously hurt.Captain Chesley Sullenberger was hailed a hero after safely landing the aircraft in the water. None of the 150 passengers and crew were seriously hurt.
PAPA