The problem with composite materials is that you are flying something that is essentially held together with glue (very hightech glue though) and if the adhesion is anything other than perfect then debonding and delamination can occur.
I was told that another problem is that traditional Non Destructive Testing Techniques don't work on composites so finding voids in the structure or identifying cracks is much more difficult. Any gurus know what techniques are being used nowadays? The Westlands test on the BERP blades on the Lynx was a 'tap-test' and the engineers had to listen to the sound the blade made when tapped with a 2p piece for hollow areas.
I'm sure AW are far more swept up than that now - anyone have the inspection procedures for the tail boom to hand??