Aging Aircraft Problems

Aging Aircraft Problems

Samuel Neal

June 10, 2013

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Abstract

Aircraft today face many challenges throughout their service life. Continued cycles of pressurization as well as the operational environment take its toll on the aircraft. It can be very difficult to determine the “age” of an aircraft without considering these factors. One thing that is certain is that over time corrosion and structural fatigue reduce the quality of airframe beyond that which could be returned to its original design through repairs. Aircraft with increased structural fatigue require additional maintenance inspections that increase aircraft down time. This negatively affects the aircraft’s reliability and availability to the organization. As the aircraft increases in “age”, both the reliability and availability of the aircraft steadily decline until it is no longer economical. (Downing, 2003, NPN)

History of Aging Aircraft Problems

The issues of aging aircraft problems were brought light in 1988 with the Aloha Airlines Flight 243. The 19 year old Boeing 737 experienced a structural failure when the upper section of the cabin was ripped off the airframe during an explosive decompression; the accident resulted in the death of the senior flight attendant. Investigations following the Aloha accident reveled that there were several areas where the lap skin lap joints were dis-bonded, this lead to heavy corrosion that ultimately weakened the hull of the aircraft. Prior to the accident the 737 had completed a total of 89,680 flight cycles of approximately 25 minutes. The marine environment of Hawaii in which the aircraft was operated was also believed to have enhanced the spread of corrosion. (SKYbrary, NPN)

In 1996 another accident that attracted major attention to the maintenance and service life of aircraft was the TWA (Trans World Airlines) Flight 800. Minutes after takeoff, TWA...