Another fault with Airbus's troubled A380 fleet has come to light just weeks after it was revealed that cracks were developing inside the superjumbos' wings.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is now considering an “airworthiness directive” that would require Airbus to replace aluminium fasteners with tougher rivets. The aircraft's latest issue is with rivets in the fuselage that safety authorities fear might not be able to withstand extreme forces placed upon them.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is now considering an "airworthiness directive" requiring Airbus to replace the aluminium rivets with titanium fasteners.
In a proposal to issue the directive, EASA said: "During an engineering review, it has been identified that six aluminium rivets... are not in compliance with the certification requirements. Fatigue analysis has shown that while structure limit load capability is still ensured, it may not support ultimate load."
This means that while the rivets would be able to withstand loads experienced during flight, the safety agency has concerns that in the event of an in-flight emergency they could fail.
EASA added that if not corrected the problem could cause the radome at the aircraft's nose to come off should the aircraft rapidly lose cabin pressure. The loss of the radome could "adversely affect the structural integrity of the aeroplane", it added.
source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/engineering/9088801/Airbus-A380-superjumbo-hit-by-another-fault.html EASA said: "To address this unsafe condition Airbus developed a modification... with instructions to modify aeroplanes in service."
Airbus played down the latest issue, maintaining that the A380 remain a safe aircraft to fly. A spokesman for the company said: "There has never been any in-flight event related to this, and the probability of an in-flight event is extremely remote."
He added that Airbus was aware of the problem and "corrective action was notified to operators by Airbus on October 17, 2011".
The spokesman said: "The issue involves the replacement of six fasteners located in the very forward fuselage of some A380s, close to where the radome meets the front fuselage. It is a very quick and simple fix.
"Airworthiness directives are not uncommon in the aviation industry and they ensure the high safety record of air travel is maintained."
This is just latest safety issue to dog the A380 and comes days after Tom Enders, Airbus chief executive, ordered an internal investigation and admitted the aircraft manufacturer "made a mistake" following the discovery of cracks in the wings of the superjumbo fleet.
To add to his embarrassment, Mr Enders, speaking at the Singapore Airshow on Wednesday, told Reuters that Airbus was "absolutely" learning from the saga of problems and "taking lessons from the A380" to future aircraft programmes.
The cracks inside the wings were discovered during inspections last year of a Qantas superjumbo that suffered an engine blow-out in 2010. Airbus says the cracks are a manufacturing issue.
Delivery into service of the A380 was delayed by design problems with 330 miles of wiring used inside each aircraft
There are 68 A380s in service around the world so far, operated by airlines including Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have ordered the aircraft.
Airbus played down the latest issue, maintaining that the A380 remain a safe aircraft to fly. A spokesman for the company said: "There has never been any in-flight event related to this, and the probability of an in-flight event is extremely remote."
He added that Airbus was aware of the problem and "corrective action was notified to operators by Airbus on October 17, 2011".
The spokesman said: "The issue involves the replacement of six fasteners located in the very forward fuselage of some A380s, close to where the radome meets the front fuselage. It is a very quick and simple fix.
"Airworthiness directives are not uncommon in the aviation industry and they ensure the high safety record of air travel is maintained."
This is just latest safety issue to dog the A380 and comes days after Tom Enders, Airbus chief executive, ordered an internal investigation and admitted the aircraft manufacturer "made a mistake" following the discovery of cracks in the wings of the superjumbo fleet.
To add to his embarrassment, Mr Enders, speaking at the Singapore Airshow on Wednesday, told Reuters that Airbus was "absolutely" learning from the saga of problems and "taking lessons from the A380" to future aircraft programmes.
The cracks inside the wings were discovered during inspections last year of a Qantas superjumbo that suffered an engine blow-out in 2010. Airbus says the cracks are a manufacturing issue.
Delivery into service of the A380 was delayed by design problems with 330 miles of wiring used inside each aircraft
There are 68 A380s in service around the world so far, operated by airlines including Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have ordered the aircraft.
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