I suggest SMN’s CVM technology might be useful here. Here’s...

I suggest SMN’s CVM technology might be useful here. Here’s hoping it might supplant the existing method of testing of ultrasonic testing as mentioned below

A380 superjumbo.

The aircraft requiring maintenance are part of a global call-in of first generation A380 aircraft that is expected to affect Singapore Airlines and Emirates and QANTAS. Each aircraft faces about 50 days out of service as engineers scour the critical “spar” infrastructure in the wing for cracks.

The spar is the main structural member of the wing, running span-wise at right angles (or thereabouts depending on wing sweep) to the fuselage. The spar carries flight loads and the weight of the wings while on the ground.

The aircraft were checked three years ago for cracks on the rear spar that were due to be rechecked this year but now the problems appear to have extended to the front spar as well.

On August 31, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued an Airworthiness Directive that requires operators to conduct checks and maintenance on the front and rear spars. It was posted by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority last week.

“Occurrences have been reported of finding cracks in the affected areas of the wing ORS on in-service A380 aeroplanes. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could reduce the structural integrity of the wing,” the European agency said.

“To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued SB A380-57-8263 original issue to provide inspection instructions, and EASA issued AD 2019-0223, as an interim action, to require repetitive special detailed inspections (SDI), using ultrasonic testing methods, of the affected area of the wing ORS on a limited batch of aeroplanes. Since that AD was issued, it has been determined that additional areas may be affected by the same unsafe condition, and that all MSN must be inspected; consequently, Airbus issued the Airbus instructions, as defined in this AD, providing applicable instructions.”

Source https://michaelwest.com.au/wing-crack-fears-for-a380-escalate-customer-nightmare-for-qantas-chief-alan-joyce/

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