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In the 2010s, the use of a carbon-composite material in the Airbus A350 was seen as revolutionary. Airbus noted that the carbon-fibre exterior was more resistant to burning compared to a metal option.
However, the shocking footage of a Japan Airlines Airbus engulfed in flames after crashing into a coast guard jet on a runway in Japan has left aviation experts surprised and concerned about the potential safety issues posed by modern composite materials.
This marks the initial testing of the newest passenger aircraft, which is constructed with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) and has shown remarkable durability in an accident. This could offer valuable technological advancements for the aviation industry’s favored jet.
On Wednesday, six professionals from the Japan Transport Safety Board arrived at Haneda airport in Tokyo to investigate the remnants of the airplane. Pictures revealed that the wings of the A350 were heavily destroyed and were the only recognizable parts of the burnt and fractured fuselage.
Airbus proposes that the durability of the fuselage may have played a crucial role in allowing the Japan Airlines cabin crew ample time to safely evacuate all passengers.
Jon Ostrower, the editor-in-chief of The Air Current, an aviation analysis and reporting service, calls the massive collision the “first real test for [this] modern aircraft”. He says the incident is the first in commercial aviation history where an aircraft body made out of carbon fibre has been subjected to a major real-world fire.
According to him, the incident will yield a significant amount of information on the material’s ability to withstand fire.
According to officials from a leading aerospace company, the primary commercial passenger plane is put together at Airbus’s final assembly plant in Toulouse, with its components being produced at various locations across Europe.
The Airbus A350 assembly site is located in Colomiers, a town near Toulouse in the south-western region of France. A worker is employed at this site.
An Airbus spokesperson informed The Independent that more than 70% of the airframe, which was left uncovered on the Haneda tarmac on Monday, is constructed using advanced materials such as composite materials, titanium, and contemporary aluminum alloy.
Airbus officials have stated that they are not currently evaluating the durability and capabilities of various aircraft designs while an investigation is ongoing. However, thorough examinations have revealed that composite structures provide a comparable level of fire resistance and protection as aluminum, according to the officials.
The materials used are much lighter, yet equally strong as the metals previously used. The aircraft has made a significant improvement in the long-haul market, with a decrease in fuel usage and carbon emissions of approximately 25% when compared to previous generation models of similar size,” stated the spokesperson.
According to tests conducted by Airbus, the aircraft’s fuselage is capable of withstanding lightning strikes, bird collisions, hail during flight, uncontained engine failure, corrosion, and fatigue. Additionally, it is also able to withstand fire.
The outside of an Airbus A350 spotted at a construction location in Colomiers, close to Toulouse in south-western France.
According to aviation specialists such as Ostrower, the A350’s carbon fibre construction responded uniquely to the fire. Ostrower states on Twitter/X that this is a significant occurrence, as the last time carbon fibre reacted in such a way was during the B-2 crash in Guam in 2008, making it a first for modern commercial aviation.
In a different post, he also mentioned that this is a significant moment in the development of modern aircraft.
“Nearly 400 individuals were on board the A350 and all were able to safely evacuate despite the significant damage. This event provided a wealth of new data for numerous analyses and small-scale tests involving carbon fiber,” stated the source.
According to Alex Macheras, a self-employed aviation specialist and advisor, the accident resulted in the total destruction of an Airbus A350 but miraculously did not result in any fatalities among the passengers. This is an incredible occurrence.
“Significantly, right after the crash, the fire appeared to be limited to the left wing section because of firewalls composed of substances that ignite at significantly higher temperatures, effectively preventing the fire from spreading. This provided enough time for the approximately 400 individuals on board to safely exit the plane,” he explains.
The plane, manufactured during intense rivalry with competitor Boeing and its 787, commenced commercial operations in 2015. Airbus, who has dispatched experts to assist with the investigation led by Japanese and French authorities, stated that the specific aircraft was delivered to Japan Airlines in late 2021.
The source is the Independent, found at independent.co.uk.
