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The real problem seems to be that most of the design is done with a bit too much statistics involved. A lot of airplane models go through a bit of a teething process, in terms of structural design.

However, I think a lot of the Airbus problems are also related to the carriers. Some of these outfits simply don't maintain planes as well as they should, nor do they have individuals who are highly qualified looking these planes over constantly.

Of course, all of these vehicles are built to be the low-bidder. That's always re-assuring.

Most every airplane has an established “maneuvering speed.” The pilot is allowed the fly faster but only in smooth air. If the airplane encounters rough air or is aggressively maneuvered while flying faster than maneuvering speed then there is a serious risk of structural damage to the airframe. It seems that the investigation is focused on icing in the pitot tubes allowing incorrect speed data going the air data computer allowing the auto pilot to “think” that the airplane was traveling slower than it really was. The speculation is that when the airplane encountered bad weather either the electronic or biological pilot maneuvered too aggressively for the speed and the plane came apart. This can happen to any airliner, Boeing, Airbus, etc…

At work we went through a "low bid problem" a couple years ago. We ordered some power transformers (by "power" I mean in the kilovolts range) from a known company's new location in a country that none of us would yet buy a metal musical instrument from. (not China.) I believe all six transformers arrived with problems that required a re-build before they could be put in service. The culture in the country that made them, is one that, apparently, meets standards to get "certified" or whatever it is, and then ignores those same standards, as it was only a game they were playing to get the certification in the first place. I'm sure there was much consternation over the fact that the transformers were expected to actually meet those standards upon delivery; it would have been a case of "You're kidding, right?"

.....hope this country does not start making airliners. I'd rather have a Chinese one, frankly. It might stay in the sky for at least a little while.

MA

I no longer do business with people who hail from the country that we would not buy a tuba from or any of it's imediate neighbors. I have been burned too many times. This culture was explained to me by a former customer once, "I cheat you a little, you cheat me a little and we come out even. It's expected." I cringe at the thought of my life depending on one of their products. They are exporting everthing else so airliners are maybe in the future.....