A380 inspections will check for cracks in wing components

Following an original call for the inspection of 20 Airbus A380 aircraft at the end of January, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has now ordered Airbus to inspect all 68 A380 Airbus superjumbos currently in service.

EASA issued an Airworthiness Directive yesterday, stating that an unscheduled internal inspection of an A380 wing revealed some rib feet with ’type-one’ cracks originating from the rib to skin panel attachment holes.

Further inspections were carried out on other aircraft that confirmed the existence of this type of cracks.

In Airworthiness Directive 2012-0026, EASA stated: ‘During one of those inspections, a new form of rib foot cracking originating from the forward and aft edges of the vertical web of the rib feet has been identified. This [type-two] condition, if not detected and corrected, may lead to reduction of the structural integrity of the aeroplane.’

Aircraft that have accumulated less than 1,216 flights will have to be inspected upon accumulation of 1,300 flights. Aircraft that have accumulated between 1,216 and 1,384 flights are to be inspected within six weeks of 13 February, and aircraft that have completed more than 1,384 flights will have to be inspected within three weeks of this date.