Older Airbus planes need new inspections for cracks in a key wing part

The US aviation regulator is requiring new inspections for specific older Airbus A300 airplanes. This means airlines operating these models must check for cracks in a main landing gear support rib and repair them if found.

Airlines often keep planes in service for decades. This type of directive means that even well-established designs require ongoing maintenance and inspection as they age, especially when original modifications might have introduced new stress points. It ensures that the cost of maintaining older aircraft is borne by the operators, not by the public through potential safety incidents.