Ya don’t have to be an engineer to know that the plane wasn’t designed to crack - anywhere - at any time.
Forces are showing up of some magnitude and/or direction not anticipated. This would be understandable if the planes had undergone some unique maneuver or impacted some unusual object. But to crack under normal operations?...
Not cool.
Here's my question. If brand-new wings, in an "uncracked" state, developed cracks, wouldn't it be reasonable to expect the "cracked" wings to develop new cracks on the old cracks? I mean, I'm only a dumb EE, but are cracked surfaces stronger than non-cracked surfaces?
If the answer to that question is anything other than an unequivocal "yes," than EADS' official position -- that the cracks represent absolutely nothing to be worried about -- is seen to be 100% poppycock.
Where have I gone wrong in my logic here?
The article claims the A380 experienced severe turbulence. I am surprised an airline would not take as many measures as possible to keep that giant structure away from bumps.
Not necessarily.
My money would be on some deficiency in material or processing.