A380 - VH-OQA Write Off.
Originally Posted by 404 Titan
Much Ado
It’s actually Hong Kong Airlines. HKA ordered a number of A380’s at the Paris Air Show a few months back. The Chinese government blocked the order because of their dispute with the EU and their ETS scheme to be rolled out in January. HKA is wholly owned by Hainan Airlines in China which in turn is owned by the Hainan government. Unless the Chinese have come to some arrangement with the EU, I can’t see HKA getting any A380’s any time soon.
It’s actually Hong Kong Airlines. HKA ordered a number of A380’s at the Paris Air Show a few months back. The Chinese government blocked the order because of their dispute with the EU and their ETS scheme to be rolled out in January. HKA is wholly owned by Hainan Airlines in China which in turn is owned by the Hainan government. Unless the Chinese have come to some arrangement with the EU, I can’t see HKA getting any A380’s any time soon.
Airbus Wins Order for A380s From Hong Kong Airlines - Bloomberg
Originally Posted by 1a sound asleep
THE discovery of tiny cracks in one of the wings of a Qantas A380 under extensive repair in Singapore has led to the detection of similar problems in four other Airbus superjumbos worldwide.
What is important is not that the presence of cracks, it is how they developed, how they will propagate, if they have any structural, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical or other system impact. The A380 wings are designed to be damage tolerant , they keep on working safely with small cracks in them, or even after the damage from the engine letting go. The ribs mainly act to keep the shape of the wing, and thus are mainly in compression, hence the reason they were made of Aluminium.
Clowns that try and make a mountain out of a molehill display how little they know about aircraft. I was very disappointed by the comments made by ALAEA people in the news, they should know better, they would have seen cracks in every aircraft currently in service.
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What is important is not that the presence of cracks
A380 out of service for a couple of months $$$$$$$$$.
Originally Posted by Clipped
Important enough to defer the airworthiness of OQA from flying in Jan '12 to at least Mar/Apr!
Posted by swh
Says who ? sounds like more uninformed crap.
Says who ? sounds like more uninformed crap.
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News: Airworthiness Directive regarding Airbus A380 wing cracks
Found the above link on another thread. A very good point posted by a reader on this article. Maybe this unfortunate event may have prevented a more significant one from occurring.
Found the above link on another thread. A very good point posted by a reader on this article. Maybe this unfortunate event may have prevented a more significant one from occurring.
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onetrak
The A380 hasn't yet had a major incident... until now. Every incident with a new model adds to the learning curve. I don't think AB have designed the A380 to be turned into scrap, after one major incident. Yes, the trend is going that way with much manufacturing... but not with the worlds largest aircraft that boasts state-of-the-art engineering, and a brand-new design. I think what needs to admired, is that despite serious damage to a very complex aircraft, it landed safely, and there was no fire and no loss of pax. I don't know what else you could ask of an aircraft.
I don't think AB have designed the A380 to be turned into scrap
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Fed Sec
..."These assurances won’t convince everyone, however. Some industry figures fear the problem might be more serious than is being portrayed. “[Airbus] have described these as tiny cracks, but every crack starts off as a tiny crack and they can grow very quickly,” the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association’s Stephen Purvinas told Reuters. The federal secretary of the association, which handles routine servicing and engine checks on the A380s operated by Qantas Airways, is worried that Airbus is downplaying the issue. “Put it this way, I wouldn't put my family on an A380 at the moment,” he said."
......this idiot just doesn't get it!
......this idiot just doesn't get it!
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I believe this is a beat up about nothing. Yes there are cracks. Yes Airbus knows and is dealing with them. So what. Every aircraft has issues that require the manufacturer to have a second look and make changes.
How about all those years ago when the jumbo had major cracking in the section 41 of the airframe. These weren't little cracks, but something that had major frames needing to be changed.
I am sure that if you look hard enough in the 777 of even 787 you will find something.
The Fed Sec can keep his family off them if he likes, but OQA has proven that the A380 can take a beating land safely, and shortly show that it can be repaired and out into service like any other airliner.
A few small cracks that are known about.Move on.
How about all those years ago when the jumbo had major cracking in the section 41 of the airframe. These weren't little cracks, but something that had major frames needing to be changed.
I am sure that if you look hard enough in the 777 of even 787 you will find something.
The Fed Sec can keep his family off them if he likes, but OQA has proven that the A380 can take a beating land safely, and shortly show that it can be repaired and out into service like any other airliner.
A few small cracks that are known about.Move on.
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The Airworthiness Directive - that carries all hallmarks of an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD), however was not released as EAD - was released before public consultation.
EASA argues that during the inspections following the first discovery of cracks during the repair of the Qantas aircraft a new type of cracks was discovered that is more significant than the original type of rib foot hole cracking and can develop into type 2 cracks from that web cracking and thus could potentially affect structural integrity of the aircraft if not corrected.
EASA argues that during the inspections following the first discovery of cracks during the repair of the Qantas aircraft a new type of cracks was discovered that is more significant than the original type of rib foot hole cracking and can develop into type 2 cracks from that web cracking and thus could potentially affect structural integrity of the aircraft if not corrected.
How about all those years ago when the jumbo had major cracking in the section 41 of the airframe.
Last edited by Ngineer; 22nd Jan 2012 at 09:46.
This may be more extensive than first thought!
(Reuters) - Singapore Airlines (SIAL.SI) said on Monday it had found examples of recently identified wing cracks in all six of the Airbus A380s on which it carried out mandatory inspections, as a senior pilot issued reassurance over the superjumbo's safety.
The discovery of more instances of cracked wing components was expected after Airbus (EAD.PA) said last week it had found the problem and predicted that until it had time to conduct repairs, a consistent pattern would emerge in further tests.
The European planemaker and airlines insist the world's largest airliner is safe to fly, but are keen to move beyond the issue of small cracks in wing brackets that grabbed media attention and triggered compulsory checks last week.
The European Aviation Safety Agency ordered carriers to inspect almost a third of the global fleet of A380s, starting with six jets operated by Singapore Airlines, to check for one of two types of cracks that emerged in the space of weeks.
"We found cracks in all six," the airline's regional public relations manager for Europe, Peter Tomasch, said during a press event at Frankfurt Airport.
"Four we have repaired and they are flying again. The other two will follow in the coming days."
EASA ordered the most urgent checks on aircraft that had carried out at least 1,800 takeoffs and landings; the six Singapore Airlines aircraft fell into this category.
The agency gave airlines six weeks to perform checks on a second category of jets that had between 1,300 and 1,800 takeoffs and landings, and did not order checks on less heavily used aircraft.
BOEING UNLIKELY TO BENEFIT
Analysts say publicity over the cracks is unlikely to benefit Airbus rival Boeing (BA.N) in the short term as airlines base their decisions on whether to buy the $390 million jet on the economics of its anticipated performance over many years.
However, some say the problems for Airbus and parent EADS (EAD.PA) could deepen if the response diverts scarce engineering resources or passengers balk at flying on the jet. So far no airlines operating the A380 have reported any dip in bookings.
In a bulletin known as an airworthiness directive, EASA last week gave Singapore Airlines, Dubai's Emirates and Air France (AIRF.PA) six weeks to examine a further 14 aircraft.
In total, 68 superjumbos are in operation and a total of 253 have been sold.
Airbus says the cracks were discovered long before they posed a potential safety hazard, but it faces a bill for the checks and repairs which are being carried out at its expense.
"The inspection and repairs are well under way and continuing, in line with the airworthiness directive," a spokeswoman said.
"Airbus is supplying repair kits as well as providing technical and logistical support to our customers".
CRACKS BLAMED ON THREE ERRORS
Cracks on what Airbus describes as a handful of the 2,000 L-shaped brackets fixing exterior panels to the ribcage of each 9,100-square-foot wing first surfaced during repairs to a Qantas A380 that was damaged when an engine exploded in November 2010.
Those initial cracks were seen as a minor glitch in the aircraft's metallic frame, but regulators decided to act when their discovery led engineers to a second and potentially more significant type of crack on the same type of bracket.
Airbus said last week that having understood the problem, it expected most of the aircraft being tested would show similar evidence of cracks and that it had found a simple repair.
It blamed the cracks on three errors: designers' choice of aluminium alloy for some of the "rib feet" brackets, the use of a type of bolt that strained the metal and a way of closing tiny gaps that put too much stress on a handful of parts.
Besides the 24 hours required to empty fuel tanks and carry out visual inspections inside the UK-built wings, the largest ever made for a jetliner, no A380s have been grounded.
However, if unrepaired, the cracks could curtail the maximum service life allowed by regulators. After immediate repairs, Airbus plans to change the type of metal used to build the part.
PILOT REASSURANCE
Singapore Airlines' chief pilot for the A380, Captain Robert Ting, flew to Germany on Sunday in one of the six aircraft that had to be fixed as a result of mandatory inspections so far and sought to reassure future passengers over the aircraft's safety.
"I slept very well," he said, referring to his peace of mind during a rest period while a second crew flew the aircraft.
"We have very competent authorities, and a very competent Airbus," he told reporters in Frankfurt.
Ting piloted the first commercial A380 flight in 2007.
The discovery of more instances of cracked wing components was expected after Airbus (EAD.PA) said last week it had found the problem and predicted that until it had time to conduct repairs, a consistent pattern would emerge in further tests.
The European planemaker and airlines insist the world's largest airliner is safe to fly, but are keen to move beyond the issue of small cracks in wing brackets that grabbed media attention and triggered compulsory checks last week.
The European Aviation Safety Agency ordered carriers to inspect almost a third of the global fleet of A380s, starting with six jets operated by Singapore Airlines, to check for one of two types of cracks that emerged in the space of weeks.
"We found cracks in all six," the airline's regional public relations manager for Europe, Peter Tomasch, said during a press event at Frankfurt Airport.
"Four we have repaired and they are flying again. The other two will follow in the coming days."
EASA ordered the most urgent checks on aircraft that had carried out at least 1,800 takeoffs and landings; the six Singapore Airlines aircraft fell into this category.
The agency gave airlines six weeks to perform checks on a second category of jets that had between 1,300 and 1,800 takeoffs and landings, and did not order checks on less heavily used aircraft.
BOEING UNLIKELY TO BENEFIT
Analysts say publicity over the cracks is unlikely to benefit Airbus rival Boeing (BA.N) in the short term as airlines base their decisions on whether to buy the $390 million jet on the economics of its anticipated performance over many years.
However, some say the problems for Airbus and parent EADS (EAD.PA) could deepen if the response diverts scarce engineering resources or passengers balk at flying on the jet. So far no airlines operating the A380 have reported any dip in bookings.
In a bulletin known as an airworthiness directive, EASA last week gave Singapore Airlines, Dubai's Emirates and Air France (AIRF.PA) six weeks to examine a further 14 aircraft.
In total, 68 superjumbos are in operation and a total of 253 have been sold.
Airbus says the cracks were discovered long before they posed a potential safety hazard, but it faces a bill for the checks and repairs which are being carried out at its expense.
"The inspection and repairs are well under way and continuing, in line with the airworthiness directive," a spokeswoman said.
"Airbus is supplying repair kits as well as providing technical and logistical support to our customers".
CRACKS BLAMED ON THREE ERRORS
Cracks on what Airbus describes as a handful of the 2,000 L-shaped brackets fixing exterior panels to the ribcage of each 9,100-square-foot wing first surfaced during repairs to a Qantas A380 that was damaged when an engine exploded in November 2010.
Those initial cracks were seen as a minor glitch in the aircraft's metallic frame, but regulators decided to act when their discovery led engineers to a second and potentially more significant type of crack on the same type of bracket.
Airbus said last week that having understood the problem, it expected most of the aircraft being tested would show similar evidence of cracks and that it had found a simple repair.
It blamed the cracks on three errors: designers' choice of aluminium alloy for some of the "rib feet" brackets, the use of a type of bolt that strained the metal and a way of closing tiny gaps that put too much stress on a handful of parts.
Besides the 24 hours required to empty fuel tanks and carry out visual inspections inside the UK-built wings, the largest ever made for a jetliner, no A380s have been grounded.
However, if unrepaired, the cracks could curtail the maximum service life allowed by regulators. After immediate repairs, Airbus plans to change the type of metal used to build the part.
PILOT REASSURANCE
Singapore Airlines' chief pilot for the A380, Captain Robert Ting, flew to Germany on Sunday in one of the six aircraft that had to be fixed as a result of mandatory inspections so far and sought to reassure future passengers over the aircraft's safety.
"I slept very well," he said, referring to his peace of mind during a rest period while a second crew flew the aircraft.
"We have very competent authorities, and a very competent Airbus," he told reporters in Frankfurt.
Ting piloted the first commercial A380 flight in 2007.
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Lick a prize....
Rumour has it that Engineers found the cracks while experimenting with paddle pop sticks.
Qantas grounds A380 after cracks found
AAPUpdated February 8, 2012, 5:50 am
Qantas has taken one of its jumbo jets out of action after hairline cracks were discovered in its wings.
The A380 plane has been grounded at the airline's Mascot jet base since Sunday after engineers discovered 36 hairline cracks in its wings during inspections, Fairfax reported on Wednesday.
The airline said the cracks were not as serious as those discovered by the manufacturer, Airbus, last month that prompted European regulators to order urgent inspections of almost a third of the worldwide fleet within six weeks.
Qantas has found cracks in two double-deck A380s it has inspected so far.
The latest cracks - none longer than two centimetres - were discovered during routine checks of the A380 after it hit severe turbulence above India on a flight from London to Singapore on January 7.
A Qantas spokesperson said the cracks were not related to the turbulence but had been traced to a manufacturing issue at Airbus.
AAPUpdated February 8, 2012, 5:50 am
Qantas has taken one of its jumbo jets out of action after hairline cracks were discovered in its wings.
The A380 plane has been grounded at the airline's Mascot jet base since Sunday after engineers discovered 36 hairline cracks in its wings during inspections, Fairfax reported on Wednesday.
The airline said the cracks were not as serious as those discovered by the manufacturer, Airbus, last month that prompted European regulators to order urgent inspections of almost a third of the worldwide fleet within six weeks.
Qantas has found cracks in two double-deck A380s it has inspected so far.
The latest cracks - none longer than two centimetres - were discovered during routine checks of the A380 after it hit severe turbulence above India on a flight from London to Singapore on January 7.
A Qantas spokesperson said the cracks were not related to the turbulence but had been traced to a manufacturing issue at Airbus.
What happens to the birds with broken wings?
It appears every time they crack one open in the worldwide fleet, bigger issues are being found.
Question for the engineers. Does qantas have the man power to cover what seems to be an increasing workload for the inspections and rectification of the A380 wings?
I thought Alan said new aircraft require less maintenance? (He does know everything.) Perhaps he can sign up the malaysians today for a bit of extra work up there? Their cheaper, so their in.
It appears every time they crack one open in the worldwide fleet, bigger issues are being found.
Question for the engineers. Does qantas have the man power to cover what seems to be an increasing workload for the inspections and rectification of the A380 wings?
I thought Alan said new aircraft require less maintenance? (He does know everything.) Perhaps he can sign up the malaysians today for a bit of extra work up there? Their cheaper, so their in.
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Chickens coming home to roost..
What happens to the birds with broken wings?
It appears every time they crack one open in the worldwide fleet, bigger issues are being found.
Question for the engineers. Does qantas have the man power to cover what seems to be an increasing workload for the inspections and rectification of the A380 wings?
I thought Alan said new aircraft require less maintenance? (He does know everything.) Perhaps he can sign up the malaysians today for a bit of extra work up there? Their cheaper, so their in.
It appears every time they crack one open in the worldwide fleet, bigger issues are being found.
Question for the engineers. Does qantas have the man power to cover what seems to be an increasing workload for the inspections and rectification of the A380 wings?
I thought Alan said new aircraft require less maintenance? (He does know everything.) Perhaps he can sign up the malaysians today for a bit of extra work up there? Their cheaper, so their in.
- Does adequate manpower currently exist? If not, what is Alan's plan to manage the risk, will Engineers be expected to work excessive overtime and will fatigue become an issue, keeping in mind Human Factors?
- If there is a shortage of manpower what are Alan and friends actually doing to mitigate this risk?
- Did Alan and his merry band of minions consider that latent conditions might exist with the addition of a new aircraft type?
- Has QF ensured that a 'change management' process is in place to adress any potential safety or 'resource' risk associated with the introduction of the Dugong?
- Will the 'good will' of Engineers be called upon to fix this issue as fast as possible? (considering Alan and Co have willfully destroyed the remaining remnants of good will?)
I thought it was Geoff that said new aircraft don't need maintenance.
The A380 and 787 are both labour intensive pigs, all part of Geoffs legacy.
But that 777...........
The A380 and 787 are both labour intensive pigs, all part of Geoffs legacy.
But that 777...........
Ultimately, what will be the end 'Profit and Loss' statement for the Dugong over 1, 5, 10 years? I would love to match that data up to what the equal figures would be had the 777 been purchased. But that all makes common sense doesn't it? But by then Alan and his merry lapdogs will be have long disapeared into the desert on the back of an A380 with their side saddles packed full of cash leaving their legacy by way of a steaming turd permeating on the ground!
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Scare mongering......show me an aircraft that doesn't have cracks. The thing is, a crack can mean many things and does not have to have any impact on airworthiness. The word "crack" in mainstream media drums up visions of gaping breaks in structure, where quite possibly all it refers to is evidence of fatigue cycling. Any new aircraft will have discoveries of this nature, it's happened before and will happen again. The public would never fly again if the media portrayed 747 section 41 cracks, 737 wing tip cracks from aftermarket winglet installations, 737 window flight deck window frame cracks, A320 fuselage cleat cracks, which at the time were all ground breaking major defets, but now dealt with everyday as known design faults, controlled through appropriate SB and AD driven compliance data. As long as the aircraft is design tolerant and meets MSG3, is maintained to the approved maintenance program then these things will be picked up when they should. This doesn't need to be a beat up, the lames are doing their thing, and so are the regulators and OEM's. We all play a part in aviation safety. This has nothing to do with any bad decision by QF, AJ or anyone else.