Airbus planes with new wingtips need regular crack inspections

US aviation regulators are ordering new inspections for specific Airbus models. These planes, equipped with a newer wingtip design, showed cracks during fatigue tests.

Aviation regulators found a potential structural weakness in a common aircraft design. This means airlines operating these Airbus models must now perform regular checks for cracks, adding to maintenance costs and potentially grounding planes for repairs. It's a reminder that even small design changes can have big, unexpected consequences for safety and operations.