Airbus: a quality problem identified on A321 reinforcements

A quality problem on reinforcements of the A321 aircraft structure has been identified but without risk to “flight safety”, AFP learned on Friday from an Airbus spokesperson, confirming information from the specialist magazine The Air Current.

“A surface protection gap on stringers (a thin structural reinforcement attached to the inside of an aircraft's fuselage or wing) has been identified on a number of A321 aircraft. This observation was made during standard rework work carried out on the lower front section of the fuselage,” an Airbus spokesperson detailed to AFP.

“The origin of the problem has been identified and controlled, and a corrective solution is available,” continued the same source, assuring that “this is a quality problem and not flight safety” and that the “planes can continue to be operated”. According to a source close to the matter, the problem was identified during the summer and 500 aircraft are potentially affected by this problem, half of which are in service and the other half still in production.

However, the Airbus spokesperson explains that the procedure for correcting the defect is not cumbersome and “does not require any dismantling of the rails. Once the rework has been carried out, the device is considered to be once again in conformity with its nominal definition. “All the newly coated rails comply with all the requirements,” he assures.