Minor cracks in A380 wing...

[flythere]

A mechanic chimes in and gives a little better explanation....

A rib foot is a small flange which is an integral part of the rib. The rib foot is bolted through a stringer, to the wing skin or cover. Usually with a countersunk swage lock (hydraulically tightened) fastener. There are dozens of rib feet along the top and bottom of each rib. This is established and widely used technology.
If in the fuel tank, difficult job but doable. Entry is through a “manhole cover” in the lower wing skin.
Structure covered in various layers of surface protection and sealant. Thousands of rib feet in total.
Repair depends upon where the cracks are, and which part of the rib foot is affected.
Do cracks originate from fastener or edge of part?
Disposition ranges from use as is, to scrap aircraft.
Probable fixes range from drilling crack stopper holes, adding washers, bolting on reinforcing plate or angle, or replacing the rib foot with a bolted on version.
Investigations would include determining whether cracks were load path dependent or fastener installation related.
Is the area in question as per drawing, or has been subject to a concession, or is out of spec?
Who designed the part, who manufactured the part, who inspected the part?
Airbus has implicated the use of 7449 Aluminium as a possible cause. Google it.
Apparently this alloy has superior weight and strength properties but is apparently susceptible to cracking due to stresses induced during fastener installation. This is not my field though.
My guess is that Airbus is correct in stating that this is not a safety issue (due to multiple load path redundancy), but will accelerate inspection and repair and will start using a different alloy.
Airbus will have to bear the cost unless it can be shown that a supplier has erred.
Don’t forget that the A380 wing has come through a major test of it’s structural survivability following the uncontained engine incident which started this whole thing.

Check out the big brain on Brad!!!!

 

[UALjan15]

I SAID IT FOR YEARS. Plastics/Composites have NO PLACE in modern airliners especially in critical structures. Sadly someone will have to be killed before action is taken. IDIOTS.

Sooo....where in the article does it state that the cracking has anything to do with composite parts? While I am not an aero engineer, but if I understand correctly, neither Boeing or Airbus were making composite wing roots.

 

[SpaceShipEarth]

And I think Aluminum is not a composite nor a plastic.... People will use anything they don't understand to push an agenda ignorantly. Oh, and when I say I think, I really mean I know.

 

[Fubijaakr]

You've never heard of plastic aluminum. It was on the Star Trek movie when they stole the whales!

 

[GogglesPisano]

That was transparent aluminum.

 

[Fubijaakr]

Sorry, not enough of a Trekkie, I guess.

 

[jonjuan]

Sooo....where in the article does it state that the cracking has anything to do with composite parts? While I am not an aero engineer, but if I understand correctly, neither Boeing or Airbus were making composite wing roots.

Doesn't matter. He's "said it for years" so it must be true.

 

[airplane wizard]

You've never heard of plastic aluminum. It was on the Star Trek movie when they stole the whales!

Not just Star Trek. Transparent aluminum is real....

http://science.howstuffworks.com/transparent-aluminum-armor.htm

Can stop a 50cal too.

 

[SIG600]

I SAID IT FOR YEARS. Plastics/Composites have NO PLACE in modern airliners especially in critical structures. Sadly someone will have to be killed before action is taken. IDIOTS.

Burt Rutan would probably disagree with you. He sent a platic airplane into freaking space.

Pretty sure he's smarter than you too.

 

[suupah]

I SAID IT FOR YEARS. Plastics/Composites have NO PLACE in modern airliners especially in critical structures. Sadly someone will have to be killed before action is taken. IDIOTS.

haven't they been building the vertical fin out of plastics/composites for decades?