The European Aviation Safety Agency is expected to issue an air worthiness directive today ordering airlines to inspect Airbus’ A380 superjumbos following the discovery of hairline cracks on the wing components of two super-jumbo A380s. Two different cracks have been identified on the same metal component inside the superjumbo’s wing although Airbus says the cracks do not affect the airliner's safety.
The European planemaker, which designs and part builds the wings for all its airliners at Filton, said in a statement: "Airbus confirms that some additional cracks have been found on a limited number of non-critical brackets inside the wings of some A380s.” It says that in line with the European Aviation Safety Agency, an inspection and repair scheme has been established, adding: “Airbus emphasises that these cracks do not affect the safe operation of the aircraft. Airbus is working closely with the air worthiness authorities and its customers.”
A spokesman for the European Aviation Safety Agency confirmed it would issue an air-worthiness directive requiring airlines to make inspections of A380s over a certain age, but did not give precise details. “The rationale behind these inspections is to get more evidence on these different cracks that have been identified on a limited number of aircraft, to see if there is a trend,” he added.
After significant production problems and major cost overruns, the first A380 entered service in 2007. A total of 68 A380s have now been delivered to seven airlines.
Emirates Airline, the Dubai-based carrier, is the biggest A380 operator. Airbus said the other carriers operating the A380 are Air France-KLM, China Southern Airlines, Lufthansa, Korean Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
An engine failure on a Qantas A380 in 2010 prompted the Australian airline to temporarily ground its superjumbos. Subsequently Rolls-Royce, which made the Trent 900 engine on the airliner, reached an out of court settlement with the Australian airline.
