KFA wrote: The problem comes in when guys replace an AN bolt with a 8.8 bolt, then it will be inferior for the job.

Using very simple reverse engineering on that sentence, there is only one conclusion:

AN bolts are superior to 8.8

So why would a manufacturer use 8.8? "Good enough" doesn't cut it.

If the designer factored the strenght of the 8.8 in his design and it has been tested then there is no further discussion. The problem comes in when guys replace an AN bolt with a 8.8 bolt, then it will be inferior for the job. There you have it! .... from a manufacturer. (^^) Thanks .... my point ...

I'm pretty sure that a professional aircraft manufacturer would not be sending their driver out to the local hardware store to randomly select some bolts that could potentially kill someone. Well, according to FAWGie's story, that's exactly what Aquilla did. Although, it doesn't sound random, but r...

Thanks for all of the great follow-up info, FAWGie. That's a terrifying story. But I would still consider that to be human error by the manufacturer, not a structural deficiency in trike wings. It can be safely stated that for the last decade at least, all trike wing manufacturers know that wing bol...

That sounds more like human error than a legitimate structural failure. Using standard hardware store bolts to hold a wing together is completely suicidal and is a well-known structural risk. The story gives the wrong impression about the risks associated with even remotely modern trikes. Would be c...