Conversion firm EFW has confirmed the safety of its A321 freighter conversions after Lufthansa Cargo found fine cracks in the floor structure of two of its freighters.
The Dresden-based conversion company said that it had analysed the aircraft data and concluded that the damage would not lead to unsafe conditions for the operation of the converted freighters.
“Our aircraft are safe, there is currently no indication that the damage is related to the P2F modification,” said EFW chief executive Jordi Boto.
“The detailed loads analyses have meanwhile shown that the A321P2F certified mechanical loads are similar or even lower compared to the passenger aircraft results.”
Additionally, EFW checked on the effect of the ballast on the floor grid.
"It does not induce significant loads to the affected fuselage structure and the stress levels are comparable to the A321 Passenger aircraft," the company added.
At this stage, there is no specific action required for operators EFW said.
"Such kind of damages like in the Lufthansa Cargo aircraft are known by the OEM [Airbus] and are nothing unusual for mid-age A321 aircraft," EFW added.
"Accordingly, for years the OEM has standard repair schemes in place and such repairs are carried out as per Structural Repair Manual (SRM) as a routine.
"EFW instructed Lufthansa Cargo on the rectification as per SRM by replacement instructions for the concerned parts."
The standard repairs for Lufthansa Cargo aircraft are expected to be completed within a few days.
"After completion of further scheduled maintenance tasks, which are not related to the crack findings, the aircraft can return to operation," EFW said.
On January 9, Lufthansa Cargo detected a crack in a shear plate in the rear floor structure of an A321P2F.
As a precaution, the carrier carried out inspections of all four of its A321Fs and a second aircraft with a minor crack in similar area was found, the other two freighter of Lufthansa Cargo returned to service.
https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/lufthansa-cargo-parks-two-a321fs-due-to-fine-fuselage-crack/
