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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.

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Airbus Is Ordered to Inspect 16 Jets After Cracks Are Found in Wings
Source: Ali Watkins

Airbus Ordered to Inspect A380 Superjumbos After Wing Cracks Detected

BRUSSELS — The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued an emergency airworthiness directive requiring the inspection of 16 Airbus A380 superjumbo jets after cracks were discovered in the wings of several aircraft. Under the strict terms of the regulatory order, five of the double-decker passenger planes must be grounded immediately for detailed structural examinations. The directive targets the oldest active A380s in service, aiming to address potential structural fatigue before it compromises the aerodynamic integrity of the world’s largest passenger airliner.

According to regulatory filings, the cracks were detected in the outer rear wing spars—critical structural beams that help support the wings under extreme aerodynamic stress. This is not the first time the A380 program has faced scrutiny over wing durability. Airbus previously navigated a high-profile wing-crack crisis in 2012, which required costly retrofitting of wing-rib brackets across the global fleet. Aviation analysts note that while micro-cracks can occur as aircraft age, any issue affecting the massive wingspan of the A380 requires aggressive precautionary measures to prevent potential long-term structural failure.

Airbus responded quickly to the directive, stating that it is actively collaborating with affected airlines and EASA to manage the inspection schedules. "Safety is our number-one priority," an Airbus spokesperson said in a statement. "We have identified the issue and developed a detailed inspection and repair protocol. The affected aircraft can return to service once the specified checks or necessary repairs are completed." For global carriers, the sudden grounding of five superjumbos represents a significant operational disruption, forcing airlines to reshuffle schedules and deploy reserve aircraft during a busy travel season.

Key Details of the EASA Directive:

  • Affected Models: Early-production Airbus A380-800 models.
  • Immediate Action: Five aircraft must be grounded and inspected within days of the order.
  • Inspection Window: The remaining 11 targeted aircraft must undergo non-destructive testing within a specified flight-cycle threshold.
  • Primary Concern: Structural fatigue cracking in the wing spar assembly, which could reduce the wing's structural integrity if left unchecked.