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Factory, design flaws caused A380 cracks
Airbus blamed a combination of manufacturing and design flaws as more examples of wing cracks arose during checks on the A380, while analysts said its bare-all strategy of addressing the problems in public should limit any lasting damage. A top executive at the European planemaker said it had established how to repair the cracks found on a small number of parts inside the superjumbo's wings. (www.reuters.com) Más...I had that same though! hahaha
While occasional problems are bound to occur in any revolutionary design like the 380, it does seem like that particular model is a bit star-crossed. I wouldn't blame the EADS workers, as well as the airlines, for being a little nervous as they wonder what's next. At least Airbus has decided that full disclosure is a much better way to deal with problems than remaining mum about them. And I hope Boeing is paying attention, since some unforeseen problems are bound to start showing up on the 787.
Both the AB380 and B787 were rush rush jobs trying to get them to the clients who were fuming.
I don't think you can say the B787 was a rush job. There were years of delay before they got it right. Boeing did not release the 787 until it was ready. Only time will tell whether they did in fact get it right with regard to the composite materials they used.
Chalet...B787 was not a rush job. B787 is glued together which is better than bolts anyday.
Both projects were behind schedule so I am not sure what you mean by "rush rush jobs". It has been my experience that when a manufacture is offering a new airliner, they want to project rosy dates when they can get them to customers. Rarely does this work out as the design and development always takes longer and if there are "new" things in the design, you can count on delays.
Roland had mentioned glue for use. I can not speak for all aircraft made, but I was working for McDonnell Douglas late 1960s to early 1980s in St. Louis. On the F-4 assembly line, they used hot glue on all most all outside skins and the rivets were there in case the glue failed. The F-15 also used glue too from what I saw of the assembly. When they started the F/A-18, they used a different building and did not see much nor the assembly of the AV-8B.
Roland had mentioned glue for use. I can not speak for all aircraft made, but I was working for McDonnell Douglas late 1960s to early 1980s in St. Louis. On the F-4 assembly line, they used hot glue on all most all outside skins and the rivets were there in case the glue failed. The F-15 also used glue too from what I saw of the assembly. When they started the F/A-18, they used a different building and did not see much nor the assembly of the AV-8B.
Seems like repairing all of the existing planes would involve replacing a lot of components. Maybe even just replacing the wings entirely?