A380 Too Big, Massive Inertia Factor!
Weather and wake turbulence forces striking an aircraft are unable to accelerate a large mass into sufficient motion to dissipate a high level of kinetic energy and therefore, the aircraft absorbs a major percentage of the kinetic energy in the structure!
An example of this phenomena is the TWA 800 accident. (Another massive structure.) At 2031.12 the aircraft was initially struck by wake turbulence forces that started the structural breakup. (A 13.5 foot section of the aircraft's keel beam fell out of the structure into the initial debris area. No evidence of explosive damage to any of the items in this debris area!) Eight seconds later the explosion occurred. (The FDR stopped recording and both cockpit clocks stopped at 2031.20!)
There must be a physical limit to the size of an aircraft design, in relation to the possible turbulence forces that an aircraft may encounter.
WS
Last edited by wsherif1; 12th October 2003 at 02:40.