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A Qantas A380 is among a number undergoing inspection following reports of wing cracking in several of the global fleet.
A total of 16 of the superjumbos, including 15 from Emirates as well as VH-OQI (pictured) from Qantas, have been affected by a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive (AD) mandating inspections of their wing spar components.
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“It has been determined that the cracks found on certain aeroplanes could reduce the structural integrity of the wing,” the directive reads.
“To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus determined that an additional special detailed inspection has to be accomplished.
“For the reason described above, this AD requires to contact Airbus for inspection instructions, accomplishment of those inspections and reporting of inspection results. This AD is considered an interim action and further AD action may follow.”
Five Emirates planes have been immediately grounded for the inspections, while the remaining aircraft, including VH-OQI, are required to undergo them within 25 flight cycles. Qantas has confirmed that this will not affect its operations.
“There is no impact to Qantas flights as a result of the airworthiness directive,” a Qantas spokesperson said.
“We have one A380 which requires additional inspections. The aircraft was already in scheduled maintenance and we will comply with any additional requirements as a result of this airworthiness directive.”
The directive has been backed up by CASA, which has passed it on to the local sector.
“All European Emergency Airworthiness Directives automatically apply to all Australian registered aircraft and we also distributed the directive to industry today,” the regulator said.
Qantas returned the last of its operational A380s, VH-OQC, to service in December, though the aircraft had to undergo repairs after a wing slat peeled off in mid-air on its first commercial flight following its return.
Qantas is the only Australian airline to operate the A380, and plans to retire the aircraft type in the 2030s, with rumours it is investigating more 787s and A350s as potential replacements.
“We’re in regular contact with aircraft manufacturers as part of our ongoing fleet planning and always update the market when we have something to announce. We currently have no updates or orders to announce,” a Qantas spokesperson told Reuters earlier this month.
VH-OQI has been in Dresden, Germany, since March.
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