Airbus A380 jets to be checked for wing cracks

Jesmond Micallef

Feb 10th, 00:45

Mr. Tony Gatt and Mr. Oswald Spiteri.

The structure of an aircraft is a very complex collection of structural components mechanically joined together with rivets, bolts and nuts, adhesives etc. If one component within such a complex structure cracks for some reason, the crack would not propagate elsewhere as it will stop right at the edge of the component in question. Actually, this is an added safety feature by virtue of design. Furthermore, aircraft structures are designed with structural redundancy known as Multiple Load Path design. This means that the flight loads, and hence the stresses, are taken up by shared components along the structure. So, if a structural component fails, the adjacent structure would take up the loads relieved by the failed component.

Both Airbus and the European Aviation Safety Agency know extremely well this subject matter and rest assured that the structural integrity of the Airbus A380 would never be jeopardised. These cracks are being carefully monitored by all here, rest assured.

Greetings to all at Airbus and EASA. You do great work. Keep them flying high.

Mr Tony Gatt

Feb 8th, 19:39

Let's hope the Airbus vice-president is right- one remembers the Comet disasters.

Oswald Spiteri

Feb 8th, 18:59

A 'crack is always a crack'. It is the start of any kind of failure, so how come this issue is not considered to compromise the airworthiness of the aircraft ??? When the first jet powered Comet appeared in the skies,
not much was known about metal fatigue, and then a few Comets came crushing down. The European Aviation Safety Agency should take this issue more seriously and duly report to the general public, and not just rely on the statement made by Airbus vice President.