SYDNEY (AFP) - - Investigators probing what punched a gaping hole mid-air in an Australian jumbo jet are focusing on whether it was caused by exploding emergency oxygen bottles, a civil aviation official said Sunday.
If proven, the finding would have implications for other 747 planes around the world, Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson told AFP in Sydney.
The Qantas Boeing 747 was flying to Melbourne on Friday when an explosive bang led to a sudden loss of air pressure in the cabin.
The plane plunged 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) before stabilising and then making an emergency landing in the Philippines capital Manila, where stunned passengers saw a three-metre rip in the fuselage next to the right wing.
"There are two cylinders located pretty much exactly where that hole appeared," Gibson said. "Clearly that is one key focus of the investigation.
"We cannot just say that is the cause, but clearly the fact that two oxygen bottles are in that location, and clearly this was damage caused by some sort of outward pressure, obviously that means that is a key aspect of the investigation.
"It is emergency oxygen for the flight deck."
If confirmed, Gibson said, it would have implications for all of Qantas's 747s and probably for many others around the world.
"Not every 747 is going to have these exact oxygen bottles on them," Gibson added.
Asked if there would be major implications, he added: "It could have. It will affect probably all of Australia's (747s) and there would be others out there."
As the incident was in international air space, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau is leading the probe. The US Federal Aviation Administration is also involved, along with the plane's manufacturer Boeing.
Gibson discounted a report that corrosion was to blame for the incident, saying that although minor rust had been found in the plane during a routine check a few months ago, it was in a totally different part of the aircraft.
Investigators, however, would examine the issue of corrosion in general, he added.
A preliminary report is expected in about 30 days.
