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CAUSE FOR CONCERN? Qantas Finds Hairline Cracks On Three 737 Planes

Qantas has confirmed that hairline cracks were found in the "pickle fork" structure of three 737 planes during maintenance checks this week.

Qantas has confirmed that hairline cracks were found in the “pickle fork” structure of three 737 planes during maintenance checks this week.

Is this cause for concern? your clients may ask you. The overriding answer is no. Here is why.

Firstly, the three affected planes have been removed from service for repair.

Secondly, both Qantas and Boeing have confirmed that these very fine cracks located between the wing and fuselage do not pose an immediate risk.

Qantas said it has completed precautionary inspections of 33 of its 737NG aircraft, checking for hairline cracks.

The aircraft had all completed around 27,000 cycles. Any aircraft with more than 22,600 cycles was inspected, in line with advice from regulators.

Qantas said it would be sure to minimise any customer impact from having these aircraft temporarily out of service.

Qantas is working with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and Boeing to resolve this issue, which involves some complex repair work.

Qantas 737

All three aircraft are expected to return to service before the end of the year.

“As people would expect with Qantas, we’ve gone above what was required to check our aircraft well ahead of schedule,” CEO of Qantas Domestic, Andrew David said.

“We would never fly an aircraft that wasn’t safe. Even where these hairline cracks are present they’re not an immediate risk, which is clear from the fact the checks were not required for at least seven months”.

CEO of Qantas Domestic, Andrew David

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He went on to say that, unfortunately, yesterday there were some “irresponsible comments” from one engineering union “which completely misrepresented the facts”.

“Those comments were especially disappointing given the fantastic job our engineers have done to inspect these aircraft well ahead of schedule, and the priority they give to safety every day of the week,” he said.

Qantas will continue to monitor aircraft that are in scope of the airworthiness directive as inspections fall due.