29th April, 2013 - Crash of a Boeing 747-428BCF operated by National Air Cargo

Worries about new airplane made from composite materials

Commercial airplane manufacturers have been using composite materials in transport airplane components for decades. But since 2011, new large transport airplane build mostly in composite have started commercial service. This is the case of the Boeing 787, and later the Airbus A350. Industry observers have raised concerns about the state of the science underpinning the expanded use of composite materials in commercial transport category airplanes and Aviation Authorities' preparedness for this transition. European and US Authorities are taking actions to address safety-related concerns linked to the use of composite structure, and the GAO (Government Accountability Office) has issue a report in October 2011 to raise its concerns. (read more...)