Stories

Tue, 15 Sep 2026

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 The extreme engineering of aircraft windows

Few companies have the technology to make aircraft windows which are getting harder to make.

* The tank contained over 7,000 gallons of toxic material called methyl methacrylate (MMA), which can cause skin and lung irritation.
* Fire crews hosed down the tank to cool it, but production at GKN's Garden Grove facility was halted due to the incident.
* In August, GKN and local authorities announced a $100m compensation programme for residents affected by the incident.
* Production at GKN's facility is still not fully restored, with output currently at around 50% of normal levels.
* The company aims to have full production restored by September 28.
* GKN Aerospace supplies parts to the aviation industry, including aircraft windows, making it one of only a handful of companies in the world qualified to do so.
* The incident has highlighted the importance of diversifying supply chains and reducing dependence on critical components.
* Aircraft manufacturers are increasingly ordering larger cabin windows, which requires additional testing to ensure their safety.
* Cockpit windows, typically made of glass, are particularly vulnerable to bird strikes, and manufacturers must use numerical simulations and physical tests to ensure they can withstand such impacts.