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Airbus investigation into how wing cracks developed | Airbus investigation into how wing cracks developed |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The head of Airbus has ordered an internal investigation into how wing cracks developed on its flagship A380 passenger aircraft. | The head of Airbus has ordered an internal investigation into how wing cracks developed on its flagship A380 passenger aircraft. |
Last month, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered inspections after two types of cracks were discovered on a bracket. | Last month, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered inspections after two types of cracks were discovered on a bracket. |
Wings for Airbus are made at Broughton, in Flintshire. | Wings for Airbus are made at Broughton, in Flintshire. |
The company's chief executive, Tom Enders, dispelled safety fears and said the plane was "absolutely safe to fly". | The company's chief executive, Tom Enders, dispelled safety fears and said the plane was "absolutely safe to fly". |
In January, Airbus ordered checks to be carried out on all A380 superjumbo planes in service after cracks were discovered during wing inspections. | In January, Airbus ordered checks to be carried out on all A380 superjumbo planes in service after cracks were discovered during wing inspections. |
Speaking at an airshow in Singapore, Mr Enders said: "I can say this plane is absolutely safe to fly. I don't want to go into all the specifics here." | Speaking at an airshow in Singapore, Mr Enders said: "I can say this plane is absolutely safe to fly. I don't want to go into all the specifics here." |
He said lessons had been learnt from the situation. | He said lessons had been learnt from the situation. |
Mr Enders added: "We have a thorough investigation under way in our own company, how we could make these mistakes in the first place and to eradicate the sources of mistakes like that for the future." | |
EASA confirmed last month that A380s which have flown more than 1,384 flights will need inspections within three weeks of of 13 February. | EASA confirmed last month that A380s which have flown more than 1,384 flights will need inspections within three weeks of of 13 February. |
Those with between 1,216 and 1,384 flights will need to be seen within six weeks of that date. | Those with between 1,216 and 1,384 flights will need to be seen within six weeks of that date. |
Planes with fewer than 1,216 recorded flights will be inspected at the next routine maintenance interval, it added. | Planes with fewer than 1,216 recorded flights will be inspected at the next routine maintenance interval, it added. |
The A380 was first unveiled in January 2005, but production delays meant deliveries did not start until October 2007. | The A380 was first unveiled in January 2005, but production delays meant deliveries did not start until October 2007. |
There are currently 253 A380 jets on order to carriers worldwide but they are not used by UK airlines. | There are currently 253 A380 jets on order to carriers worldwide but they are not used by UK airlines. |
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