Crack Detection in Aircraft Structures

In Switzerland aircraft often have to take off and land in narrow mountain valleys where a strong, irregular wind is blowing. In these circumstances one faulty casting may cause failure of a control; or a small part, if insufficiently heat-treated, may fracture and result in the loss of the aircraft. For this reason, thorough inspection during production and careful maintenance of the aircraft are of prime importance. Control within the aircraft factory consists of inspection of the raw materials, such as bars, sheet metal, tubes, castings, forgings and so on; testing of the most important parts during manufacture to detect cracks and to control the heat treatment; and the final control of all parts, of components and of the whole aircraft. Maintenance inspection reveals cracks, corrosion and other defects of the most important parts of the aircraft.