Metal fatigue blamed for fatal Swedish crash

Metal fatigue is cited as the cause of the October 26 crash of a Swedish Coast Guard EADS CASA C-212 that killed all four crewmen.

The Aviation Safety Network reports that during a fly-by of a Coast Guard station during a routine patrole mission, "the left wing ruptured near the fuselage and separated from the aircraft. The CASA then crashed into the canal and sank to a depth of abouth 6 metres. The ongoing technical investigation has revealed a major fatigue crack in the lower part of the wing primary structure. The fatigue crack, which on the wing outer side is covered by a doubler, has developed and grown under a long period."

Maintenance stoppage at EADS CASA plant

Maintenance workers have stopped work at an EADS CASA plant, in another compensation dispute. The strike, which began November 16, could last weeks.

According to a Spanish industrial maintenance blog, the contract workers are responsible for "corrective and preventive electromechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic, robotic, automation and serial control maintenance" at the EADS CASA plant in Tablada, Seville.

CASA C-212 death toll: At least 463

The loss of four Swedish Coast Guard crewmen on October 26 means that at least 463 people have died aboard EADS CASA C-212 aircraft.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, as of July 5, 2005, there had been at least 57 C-212 "hull-loss accidents" with 459 fatalities.

Mexican Navy CASA plane goes down off Yucatan

A Mexican Navy EADS CASA C-212 crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on November 15, but good crewmanship saved all aboard.

According to a statement from the Mexican Navy, the plane had been on matitime patrol for five and a half hours over the Gulf of Mexico when "one of its two engines, and minutes later the other, failed, forcing the pilots to decide an emergency landing."

Controversy swirls around Arab and Russian investors

Controversy continues to cloud EADS as investors outside the traditional NATO alliance scoop up shares of the beaten-down stock.

Following the Russian government's purchase of 5 percent of EADS, the company is finding objections to a possible sale of $1 billion in shares to Arab investors.

"There is an issue about how the French, German and also Spanish governments may react to Dubai having a significant stake in EADS," a London-based equities analyst tells Bloomberg.

A French fund manager agrees: "I can't see Europe letting one of the technological jewels of its industry going to a non-European," said Jerome de Leusse, who helps manage $635 million at HR Gestion in Paris.