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Post by a380fanclub on Dec 5, 2015 16:42:02 GMT 1
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a notification of a proposal to issue an Airworthiness Directive on November 26 2015, which concerns 40 A380's. The AD concerns structural parts within the cargo and/or cabin compartment that have been improperly heat-treated. Parts were produced between November 2011 and February 2013 and since been identified. A380 operators are required to inspect the 28 cabin and 28 cargo compartment parts according to a specified plan and, if a part is detected, replace it. This should be done before the 6 year check. The AD proposal consulation period will close on December 24.
The issues affects 28 cabin parts and 28 cargo parts. Parts are capable of handling static limit loads, but won't meet certified fatigue life. Without repairs parts could grow cracks, which in the end could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage,
Construction numbers involved are: 087 (TUA); 088 (B6139); 089 (MND); 093 (TUB); 094 (MNE); 095 (XLEA): 096 (HL7619); 100 (TUC); 105 (EDX); 106 (EDY); 107 (EDZ); 108 (EEA); 109 (EEB); 110 (EEC): 111 (EED): 112 (EEE); 113 (EEF); 114 (MNF); 115 (HPJI); 116 (EEG); 119 (EEH); 120 (B6140); 121 (XLEB); 122 (TUD); 123 (EEI); 124 (XLEC); 125 (TUE); 126 (HL7621); 127 (EEJ); 128 (HL7622); 131 (TUF); 132 (EEK); 133 (EEL); 134 (EEM); 135 (EEN); 136 (EEO); 138 (EEP); 139 (EER); 140 (EES); 144 (XLED).
Here is the link to the EASA document:
ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/15-144
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Post by julytourist on Dec 5, 2015 21:25:09 GMT 1
Thanks for this, very interesting, I wonder how the issue was discovered.... Poor BA, they have 4 frames affected...... JT
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Post by a380fanclub on Dec 5, 2015 21:55:30 GMT 1
Thanks for this, very interesting, I wonder how the issue was discovered.... Poor BA, they have 4 frames affected...... JT The EASA document says: "Airbus quality controls identified that several structural parts (...) were manufactured from improperly heat-treated materials'. The manufacturing process has been reviewed and changed since. The strange thing is that the list of affected frames is not fully sequential: some frames in between are ok. Concerning 'improperly heat-treated materials': if I remember correctly this was an issue too with the wing rib feet problem. Despite the details I haven't been able so far to identify where exactely the parts involved are positioned within an A380. My guess - and only that - is they are in the lower section, between cargo hold and cabin floor. Let's try and find out... And about BA: the entire Thai fleet is affected, plus 21 Emirates aircraft. This must become another very expensive modification program for Airbus that could affect profitabilty of the A380 program for 2015/2016. Repair/down time is not given, but I doubt they can do this job in a couple of weeks. At the same time this might be done at a 6 year check or at least no later than that, so no extra down time might be required. |
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Post by FabienA380 on Dec 6, 2015 9:51:48 GMT 1
Thanks a380fanclub! (is it MSN095-XLEA or MSN096-HL7619?..) |
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Post by a380fanclub on Dec 6, 2015 17:45:58 GMT 1
Thanks a380fanclub ! (is it MSN095-XLEA or MSN096-HL7619?..) I corrected the list, which missed 095 at first. Total number of A380's to be modified is now 40. |
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philidor
in service - 6 years
Posts: 8,950
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Post by philidor on Dec 7, 2015 2:36:58 GMT 1
I don't think this could be a major problem for the airlines concerned. As it is a fatigue issue, they are in no hurry and can schedule the repairs to coincide with some maintenance check, thus avoiding trafic disruption.
As for Airbus and/or its suppliers, the parts replacement and the repairs are certainly expensive, but the cost should be much smaller than - for instance - that of the door repairs.
To a380fanclub : I don't remember the rib feet issue being linked to inadequate heat-treatment. Are you sure ?
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Post by a380fanclub on Dec 7, 2015 16:35:57 GMT 1
I asked Airbus for more details and got the following reply today:
'These few parts are secondary structure and are located in the cabin and cargo area.
The inspection and if necessary part replacement can be carried out during a routine maintenance check no later than when the aircraft's reaches 6 years since its manufacture date.'
The problem might be different, but part of the wing issue was incorrect heat-treatment with too low temperatures at the Broughton facility.
This is what Aviation Week reported in January 2014:
'There were several causes for the wing-component cracking problem. One was the use of a specific aluminum alloy (7449) and its heat treatment. The alloy saved weight, but it rendered the component more brittle, causing cracking. Another was in the process of attaching the wing skin to the ribs, where excessive loads were placed on components during assembly. The situation was compounded by failing to account properly for temperature-induced material expansion and contraction during operations'.
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philidor
in service - 6 years
Posts: 8,950
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Post by philidor on Dec 7, 2015 18:17:20 GMT 1
Thank you for the research, a380fanclub, and congratulations for getting an answer from Airbus !
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Post by a380fanclub on Dec 7, 2015 18:20:15 GMT 1
Thank you for the research, a380fanclub, and congratulations for getting an answer from Airbus ! I just posted an updated report, including the wing issue. The reply from Airbus came within 1,5 hour. |
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Post by stealthmanbob on Dec 7, 2015 18:28:40 GMT 1
The reply from Airbus came within 1,5 hour. AB need to be on top of forums / social media / press etc to make sure this issue does not effect confidence in the A380 ! |
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