Airbus Is Ordered to Inspect 16 Jets After Cracks Are Found in Wings

Airbus is ordered to inspect 16 A380 jets after cracks were found in a key wing component, highlighting renewed scrutiny of aircraft structural integrity. The European Union’s aviation safety regulator, EASA, ordered five Airbus A380s to be grounded immediately for checks, while the remaining 11 jets were told to obtain inspections within their next 25 flight cycles. EASA said cracks in the wing beam “could reduce the structural integrity of the wing.” The affected airlines were not identified, but Emirates said it would comply with the airworthiness directive and start inspections within 48 hours, completing any work before returning aircraft to service. Airbus said the cracks were discovered during prior inspections. This follows a 2012 EASA order for urgent checks of the entire A380 fleet after earlier wing-crack concerns, when about 250 jets were in service. There are 173 A380s used for passenger flights globally, and Airbus delivered its last A380 in 2021.