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Comment by davely | Hacker News Reader

In 2010, an Airbus A380 engine exploded. The fact that it landed safely was a miracle. [1] In 2017, an Airbus A380 lost an engine (literally, fell off the plane). [2] In 2018, a cockpit windshield blew out in an Airbus A319. [3]

Don't get me wrong, the culture at Boeing has changed (for the worse). The 737 Max is not without issues. It's horrific that hundreds have died due to both ignorance and deception on behalf of Boeing.

But Airbus isn't some sort of flawless golden goose either. Any time something like this happens, failure modes are identified and things will get safer.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qantas_Flight_32

[2] https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/news/the-latest/photos-airb...

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan_Airlines_Flight_8633

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But in all cases there was no subsequent news that inspection of all airbus planes proved most engines were bolted to the wing wrong... or that all the windshields were glued wrong.

And this loose bolts thing shows up on a plane model where the "driving controls" were designed wrong.

Note that no one is complaining about the other Boeing 737 models.

> Note that no one is complaining about the other Boeing 737 models.

But why not? The 737NG has a known issue that killed someone in 2018 and the fix isn’t even planned to be in place until 2028.

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/faa-mandates-boeing-737ng...

That's a great article. I didn't understand what is wrong or what the proposed measures are :)

It’s pretty wordy but all the information is there.

> That includes a new spacer design for the engine inlet with increased fastener capability, changes to the fan cowl and fan cowl support beam, and the implementation of new exhaust nozzle structural stiffening elements.

> According to the National Safety Transportation Board’s (NTSB) executive summary of the incident, parts “of the left engine inlet and fan cowl separated from the airplane, and fragments from the inlet and fan cowl struck the left wing, the left-side fuselage, and the left horizontal stabilizer”. One of the fragments of the cowl struck the fuselage near a cabin window, with the window departing the 737-700 and resulting in rapid depressurization.

I find the A380 accidents quite fascinating. If there is a plane I want to lose an engine on it’s one with four on it for sure. :)

A380 can loose only one engine and fly, same as smaller planes, they can loose an engine and land.

> A380 can loose only one engine and fly

Modern airliners can glide tens miles with complete loss of power. (It's why they have RATs [1].)

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_air_turbine

glade != fly

Technically, the Osprey can loose one engine and continue to fly too. They have linkage connecting each engine to the other rotor specifically for this.

Not trying to move the goalposts, but how old were these Airbus planes at the time of their incidents? Were they months old off the assembly line, or were they several years in where slips in maintenance and inspections came into play?

Also importantly, did Airbus actively deceive people, causing these incidents? I don't think so.

it's not flawless but, it _does_ have a better safety record.

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