SQ finds cracks in wing brackets on six A380 aircraft
SINGAPORE : Following the inspections on six of its Airbus A380 aircraft, as mandated by the European Aviation Safety Agency, Singapore Airlines (SIA) confirmed that cracks in the wing brackets have been discovered in all six of the inspected airplanes.
In a statement to Channel NewsAsia on Tuesday, SIA said that "checks have been carried out on six aircrafts and there were findings during each inspection".
SIA started inspections on 20 January 2012 following the discovery of cracks in the structural components in some A380 aircraft.
While the six A380 planes are sent out for repairs, scheduled flights usually operated by the affected A380 planes are temporarily operated by Boeing 777-300ER jets.
Four of these planes have been repaired and have since been returned to operation, and repairs for the remaining two planes are expected to be completed "in the coming days".
The costs of inspections and repairs are wholly covered by Airbus, a SIA spokesperson said.
- CNA/ch