Blacksheep, thanks for putting it so eloquently ! A slanging match is the last thing anyones needs but to again answer, to BIK_116.80, my point exactly. The origin of the crack, being so high, I beleive it is unreasonable for any one to expect this to be seen in it's early stages of propogation from ground level. Hangar inspections are a totally different animal from the walkround on the ramp . . .