On Nov. 16, Airbus and French authorities launched an investigation into an accident involving an A340-600 carrying out engine run-up tests at the manufacturer's Saint-Martin site near Toulouse ahead of the aircraft's scheduled delivery to Etihad Airways.

The jet, carrying nine people, apparently crashed through a barrier. Photographs show the badly damaged A340, bearing Etihad Airways' livery, nearly split in two, with the destroyed cockpit and nose area of the fuselage mostly severed.

Airbus called the incident "regrettable" and said five people were injured, with three remaining hospitalized as of Nov. 16. One is an employee of Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies while the other two work for Airbus, the manufacturer said.

It said the aircraft was to be delivered "in the coming days," adding, "Ground tests including engine run-ups are a normal procedure on all Airbus aircraft." The plane was one of two -600s headed to EY before year end. It already operates two of the type.