A340-600 wing spar cracks

[TooBadSoSad]

Apparently three South African Airways A340-600's have been grounded due to cracks in the wing spar. Also heard that Virgin may have the same problem in some of their 600's.

Anyone heard the same rumour?

[John Farley]

I have heard nothing.

However if it is true what a triumph for modern fail safe design methods and inspection regimes.

[bearfoil]

Finally, someone who looks on the bright side!

[swh]

I think we all have been witness to the selection of cracks on Virgin aircraft. I tend to think the SAA tend to have fewer cracks on each aircraft.

Non destructive testing and dye penetration still seem to be the choice methods to find the crack.

[BOAC]

How long has this beast been flying?

[tubby linton]

Let me guess-wing spar 5.

[heavy.airbourne]

The olde wing box problem. A333 had that, too. Interesting surgery, though. Still, they seem to keep on flying. :}

[Bruce Wayne]

are you referring to this ?


The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2007-0207R1, dated November 7, 2007 (referred to after this as "the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

During the A340-600 full scale fatigue test, cracks were found on left and right sides of the rear spar vertical cruciform at Frame 47.
This situation, if not corrected, can affect the aircraft structural integrity.
Further to this full scale fatigue test completion, it has been determined that the current inspections values (thresholds and intervals) as specified in the ALI [Airworthiness Limitation Items] tasks 57.18.16 have to be reviewed in order to comply with certification requirements. Consequently AIRBUS Service Bulletin (SB) A340-57-5011 has been issued to supersede the ALI tasks 57.18.16.
This AD mandates a repetitive inspection program in order to detect any crack by means of two Non-Destructive Test (NDT) inspection methods (High Frequency Eddy Current and Ultra Sonic).


Docket No. FAA-2010-0128; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-136-AD;
Amendment 39-16215; AD 2010-05-06

[Gauteng Pilot]

Only ZS-SNB is not currently flying daily schedules.
Rest of 9 all active last 2 days

[B772]

Slightly off thread but I notice there are 4 x A340-500 advertised for sale in where is - as is condition. Very unusual statement for recent build aircraft. Also from memory the A340 wing in 1991 was not strong enough to carry the outer engines at cruise speed without warping and fluttering.

[dixi188]

B772

I think you are talking about the 4 ex Olympic Airways A340-300s parked at Athens. They haven't flown for about a year and have had no care and maintenance so are not worth a lot since re-certification in EASA land will be very expensive.
I suspect they will end up being "parted out" or on some less stringent aviation authority register.

[Gauteng Pilot]

ZS-SNB flew the scheduled Perth flight last night, so all are flying daily now

[B772]

dixi188

Airfax shows the 4 ex Olympic A340-300's as well as the 4 A340-500's

[concordino]

I think those 4 A345s belong to Thai Airways International. They have been advertised on the market for a while now.

[Baron rouge]

Mind you, Airbus wings are british made, a long tradition of crap engineering starting with the Comet ;)

[HarryMann]

Hehe, and those 1947 slide-rule designed Comet wings will still be flying in 2020 :p

Just not the same ones... :)

[Touch'n'oops]

Baron rouge

A bit rich coming from the man who lives the country that makes airbuses!!!

Been on them 4 years... I think they're still :mad:

Note: I just got off another flight that suffered a Dual FMGC failure. At least it gives me a little time to reacquaint myself with the art of VOR to VOR flying!!! :*

[Volume]

Baron rouge

The wings may be british made, but they are bolted to the left and right sides of the rear spar vertical cruciform at Frame 47(manufactured in a town at the opposite coast of the channel) in a town even further south on the continent...

[1.3VStall]

Baron Rouge,

If the Comet was that bad, why did the French use the Comet's nose and front fuselage for the Caravelle?!!!!!!

[DozyWannabe]

Err - quick netiquette reminder guys - a winking smiley after a statement usually indicates that the poster was joking.

[Touch'n'oops]

But you also shouldn't trust a Frenchman! ;););)

[brakedwell]

Or Perfidious Albion :{

[Perfidious Albion]

Brakedwell - Spot on old chap! :E

[saywhat]

If the Comet was that bad, why did the French use the Comet's nose and front fuselage for the Caravelle?!!!!!!

Because the French are not very clever either.;)

[Viscount812]

"Baron Rouge,

If the Comet was that bad, why did the French use the Comet's nose and front fuselage for the Caravelle?!!!!!!"


Ah - but they only used half the number of Avons, and bolted them onto the fuselage just to be sure!

[FlexibleResponse]

Baron rouge

Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: France
Age: 59
Posts: 220

Mind you, Airbus wings are british made, a long tradition of crap engineering starting with the Comet

Touché!...