"Airbus A380 fleet should be grounded, say engineers"
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16452878

And I was getting all excited for my LH 400 flight on the A380.... seriously though does anyone have further insight on this? Don't really know what to make of "minor cracks on non-critical wing rib-skin attachments" but I must admit I'd be disappointed if the fleet were pulled.

This is probably just Qantas' engineers/mechanics union trying to take a dig at QF management for having outsourced maintenance work. The union & airline have been at each others' throats for a good long while. I wouldn't worry.

Just out of curiosity, where has QF outsourced (part) of its maintenance?

http://www.lufthansa-technik.com/app...action=initial

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...105-17g08.html

Don't worry, this is absolutely normal and happens in all aircraft programs. The structure is calculated to mitigate this risk. It is just a caution advise to perform a thorough careful detailed check during routine maintenance.

I recall it happend with the 747 in the 1990's, where finally the section where the nose gear loads are transferred into the structure had to be reinforced during heavy maintenance checks.
Numerous events like this also occurred in the DC9/ MD60 / 717 program.
The same thing happened with the 787 during early flight tests.

It might be in their interest to put a spin on the story, but still the cracks have been found in other carriers frames as well.

Airbus engineers version:
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/trav...106-1pnn0.html

I was thinking the same thing, and I am sure the 787 will come out with something like this too later on.

Still surprised to see the QF 380 still in SIN.

Thanks.

Wouldn't it make sense for QF to drop the A380 on the FRA route from time to time?

No. Loads and yields aren't high enough. QF A380s for scheduled maintenance go via LHR.

For the A380 LH is running a new concept of constant line maintenance that changes the classic A-D check routine previously employed on commercial aircraft. QF chose to stick to the A-D check system because the technical base is not close to their hubs. That is why you will see EK and QF take out aircraft from their rotations for checks and LH will not.

But trust me a German cannot live normally if he/she know there is something imperfect. If this crack was something serious, the entire A380 fleet would be lined up in FRA for checks.

:D

Hey don't scare the hell out of me..... am on an LH A380 on Thursday!!!! I am not particularly comfortable with a possible defect on a wing flying TA. Emergancy landing facilities are sort of scarce on route...

You do not have anything to worry about. I can't post it, but I read a article (german) which stated LH engineers saying all their a380s are perfectly fine and none of those cracks have been found on any of the planes.

@grey87 I probably should have to worry any way since I have had my statisical accident already. I tried to tell the guy UPSTAIRS that as far as accidents with aircraft go - I am done!!!! ....but then you never know when HE is having a bad day.

Again don't worry! My 2 cts

a) Only Quantas A 380 seem to have it
b) Quantas outsourced maintenance of the big birds and their strong unions are p....d about it, so for them it is ( bad maintenance by cheap labor, only us lazy fat paid union guys know how to do it :))
c) If there would be some substance FAA and JAR would be already at high alert

Enjoy the quiet big bird !^