Shocked passenger took photo of a man in a fluorescent vest measuring up a line of tape to circle around the top of the engine of an easyJet plane before it took off. Although it is not known at which airport this maintenance work took place, repots say it is not duct tape.
It is believed the item is actually speed tape, widely used in aviation to carry out quick repairs on flights so as to avoid delays.
Speed tape is an aluminised pressure-sensitive tape used to do minor repairs on aircraft and racing cars. It is used as a temporary repair material until a more permanent repair can be carried out.
It has an appearance similar to duct tape, for which it is sometimes mistaken, but its adhesive is capable of sticking on an airplane fuselage or wing at high speeds, hence the name.
As online commentators discussed why tape was being used on an aeroplane, one user wrote why this might happen.
'Without the tape, high-speed air can get in between the engine and the fairing and cause vibration or throw off the balance of the engine.
'Under rare circumstances the fairing can be torn off by the air pressure forming on the leading edge.
'The tape closes this gap safely, immediately reducing the chance of mechanical failure. Then they can get the plane fixed at the next convenience or service schedule.'
However an easyJet spokesperson told MailOnline Travel that in this instance, it was not used for repair work.
'The high speed metallic tape is in place as a result of some cosmetic work that is required to the aircraft paintwork,' the spokesperson said.
'It is nothing structural and in no way compromises the safety of the aircraft.'
Commenting on the photo, a safety expert at the Civil Aviation Authority told MailOnline Travel: 'The image appears to show aluminium tape being applied to the aircraft.
'This tape is used as part of work to make minor repairs and is very common across the aviation sector and has been for many years now.'
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