Paint Scraper Grounds Qantas 747s | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

 Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Mon, Sep 29, 2003

Paint Scraper Grounds Qantas 747s

Overseas Repainting Job Precipitated Crack in Fuselage

Qantas had two 747-400s repainted "in a foreign country," before the airline put them into service in 1998. Now, both planes are gounded, after a crach in one of the planes' fuselages was spoitted in a routine inspection.

It seems that whoever stripped the plane, had used a steel scraper, instead of a plastic one. Steel, a lot tougher than the aluminum the plane is made of, apparently dug out some of the airplane's own metal, creating a stress riser; and over the years, that weakening developed into a crack.

As a precautionary measure, Qantas's other 747-400 that got the same treatment at the same place, has been grounded, pending further inspection.

Australia's CASA has notified the FAA. No other reports of such damage have surfaced in the two weeks since that first crack was found; but, as the damage was discovered only on a "heavy" maintenance check, it is possible other aircraft may face similar problems, which might not get noticed for a while.

FMI: www.qantas.com.au


Advertisement

More News

Airborne 07.11.25: New FAA Boss, New NASA Boss (Kinda), WB57s Over TX

Also: ANOTHER Illegal Drone, KidVenture Educational Activities, Record Launches, TSA v Shoes The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to become the next Administrator of the FAA, in a ne>[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 07.03.25: Sonex HW, BlackShape Gabriel, PRA Fly-In 25

Also: DarkAero Update, Electric Aircraft Symposium, Updated Instructor Guide, OSH Homebuilts Celebrate The long-awaited Sonex High Wing prototype has flown... the Sonex gang tells >[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Rick Kenin New Board Chair of VAI

30-Year USCG Veteran Aviator Focusing On Member Benefits The Vertical Aviation International Board of Directors announced its new leadership officers in April, and all began their >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne 07.11.25: New FAA Bos, New NASA Boss (Kinda), WB57s Over TX

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Airborne 07.09.25: B-17 Sentimental Journey, Airport Scandal, NORAD Intercepts

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC