[USNBandit]

Airbus has begun to install a strengthening package on to the wing of a completed A380 as an interim solution

A little more significant than some shifting wiring bundles.

Before this thread goes off the deep end, anybody know of any other instances like this with other commercial airliners?

[Ostlandr]

Yes- the first one, the De Haviland Comet:

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Aerospace/DeHavilland/Aero49.htm

[jettester]

Not on commercial, but on military, yes. The reason for for this is because there have been very few to none absolutely all new wings developed in the last few years.

The exception to this, and the one I eye witnessed, was the C-17 wing failing in much the same way as the A380. Not only was the load about similar, but so was the location (between the engine mounts) and also the fix (repaired in-place, long term fix incorporated in future builds). The military was very happy with the fix as it met all of the criteria of the original design except for the added weight.

The machine spars for these massive wings are incredibly complex to fab (and expensive) - incremental minor changes are usually the way to go when incorporating changes as opposed to radical, major design changes. Rest assured that this "fix" has been scrutinized pretty closely by the design authorities.

Having said all that (as if I was defending them), Airbus has always been a rival in my aerospace work and I will do my best to avoid flying airlines that fly their products.

[Calvin Locke]

I saw a piece on the the DC10. Apparently, the hardware for an outer cargo hold door would warp when trying to seal
the door if it wasn't really secured, sending a false signal that the door wasn't a jar.

So, the plane might depressurized suddenly, collapsing the passenger floor...

The end of it was once the hardware was replaced, (automatic vents for the floor, too) it was too late for the
passenger days of the DC10.

They are now an efficient cargo transporter, though.