The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has ordered urgent inspections of Airbus A380 aircraft after inspectors identify possible cracks in a key wing structure. Multiple outlets report that Airbus will inspect 16 A380s in total, with five of the aircraft requiring immediate inspections. The checks follow findings during routine maintenance inspections of cracks in a wing component described as part of the wing-spar or a structural beam that runs along the wing and carries aerodynamic load during flight.
The aircraft involved are associated with airlines including Emirates and Qantas, which are reported to operate the affected jets. In response to EASA’s directive, airlines examine the wing-spar/beam structure for the presence and extent of the cracking. Some reports describe the action as grounding the affected aircraft pending completion of the urgent inspections.
Airbus states the inspections are intended to address the safety concern raised by the cracks and to determine whether repairs or further maintenance actions are needed. The directive focuses on the specific A380 wing component and the number of aircraft identified by the regulator’s review of affected planes.
