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Airlines

Concorde Grounded Due to Microscopic Cracks

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

British Airways has grounded one of its seven Concorde supersonic jets after tests revealed microscopic cracks on the aircraft's wings. The cracks, discovered during routine tests by independent inspectors, were deemed not to be a safety issue by airline officials. However, the aircraft has been taken out of service for repair, with the manufacturer, Aero Spatiale, beginning work on the grounded jet. The Concorde, celebrated for its aesthetic form and speed records, was introduced into service in 1976 and has been the flagship of Air France and British Airways fleets.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Concorde was grounded due to microscopic cracks on the aircraft's wings, which were discovered during routine tests by independent inspectors.
  • The airline deemed the cracks not to be a safety issue, but the aircraft has been taken out of service for repair nonetheless.
  • The manufacturer, Aero Spatiale, has begun working on the grounded jet, with repairs expected to take up to two months.
  • The Concorde has been in service since 1976 and has set several world records, including the fastest crossing of the Atlantic.
  • The aircraft has been at the center of a spy scandal, with a KGB agent codenamed "Ace" reportedly providing the former Soviet Union with secrets on the development of Concorde.
  • The agent, an aeronautical engineer, was recruited in 1967 and handed over documents spanning more than 90,000 pages of detailed technical specifications on new aircraft.

Statistics:

  • The Concorde can carry 100 passengers and fly at 1,336 miles an hour and at an altitude of 55,000 feet.
  • The aircraft has a top speed of 2 hours 54 minutes and 45 seconds across the Atlantic.
  • The microscopic cracks were in a part of the wing that was not deemed critical to the aircraft's safety.
  • The repair of the Concorde could take up to two months.
  • The aircraft has been in service for over 45 years.

Sources:

  • British Airways
  • United Press International
  • Aero Spatiale
  • The Mitrokhin Archive (book by Vasili Mitrokhin)

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