Airbus Is Ordered to Inspect 16 Jets After Cracks Are Found in Wings on Monday.
Cracks in the wing beam of some Airbus A380 jets were found during previous inspections. Emirates will conduct the inspections within the next 48 hours. in accordance with the airworthiness directive. In 2012, the E.U. aviation regulator ordered urgent inspections of all A380s.
The E.U. Aviation Safety Agency has mandated inspections for 16 Airbus A380 jets due to discovered cracks in a crucial wing component.
Five of these jets must be grounded immediately for thorough checks, while the remaining eleven need inspections within their next 25 flight cycles.
Airbus revealed that the cracks were found during earlier inspections, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the wing.
The specific airlines affected by this order have not been disclosed, but Emirates Airline confirmed it would comply with the inspection requirements.
Emirates stated that it plans to start the necessary inspections within the next 48 hours and will ensure any required repairs are completed before returning the aircraft to service.
This isn't the first time the E.U. regulator has called for urgent inspections of Airbus A380s; a similar directive was issued in 2012 due to potential wing cracks.
Currently, there are 173 A380s actively flying worldwide, with Airbus having delivered its last unit in 2021, even though these planes typically remain in service for many years.
Airbus Is Ordered to Inspect 16 Jets After Cracks Are Found in Wings
The European Union’s chief aviation regulator ordered five A380 superjumbo jets to be grounded immediately.
The European Union’s chief aviation regulator has ordered inspections of 16 Airbus A380 jets after cracks were found in a key wing component on some of the aircraft.
The E.U. Aviation Safety Agency on Monday ordered five of the jets to be grounded immediately for checks. The eleven others were ordered to seek an inspection within their next 25 flight cycles, an industry term that refers to a single takeoff and landing.
Cracks in the wing beam of certain planes were discovered during previous inspections, the European aircraft maker said on Wednesday, According to the regulator, such cracks “could reduce the structural integrity of the wing.”
Neither the regulator or Airbus named the airlines whose planes are affected.
But some belong to Emirates Airline, which said in a statement that it would “comply and carry out the inspections required in accordance with the airworthiness directive.”
The airline said that inspections will commence “within the next 48 hours, and any work required will be carried out before releasing aircraft to service.” The company did not say how many of its jets were affected.
In 2012, the E.U. aviation regulator ordered urgent inspections of all Airbus A380s due to potential wing cracks. At the time, the worldwide fleet numbered around 250 jets.
There are 173 A380s in active use for passenger flights around the world, according to Cirium, an aviation data firm. Airbus delivered its last A380 in 2021, though commercial airplanes often fly for decades after the final jet rolls off the production line.
Niraj Chokshi contributed reporting.
Ali Watkins covers international news for The Times and is based in Belfast.
Of course I’ve no need to. And to get anywhere nowadays in just a few hours requires air travel. I spent three days on Amtrak. Nearly did me in. But if there is a crack, at least it will skid on Terra firma. Not plummet into terror firma with 380 other dumb dumbs.
That wasn't always the case, but flying has become SUCH a massive pain in the backside. Mostly at the airport, but sometimes the flight itself (and mind you, I almost always fly in the front of the cabin). All the silly "security theater" and the (semi-)recent uncertainties about cancellations and so forth make the experience annoying.
In Japan, I usually take a train unless I'm really in a hurry. In the US, I'm mostly stuck with driving if I don't want to fly (so few rail passenger routes...).
