No, That Isn't Duct Tape on Your Plane's Wings
An aircraft mechanic explains what the tape you sometimes see on plane wings really is.
Everywhere you look on social media, there seems to be at least one concerned post about what's being called "plane duct tape," and for good reason. As a passenger, noticing that your plane's wings are seemingly held together by the same silver duct tape that your dad uses to fix anything around the house is, by all means, a frightening sight.
But I am here to tell you that everything will be okay. That is, in fact, not at all regular duct tape, and your plane is in no way about to fall apart.
"That's not actually duct tape," says an aircraft mechanic in a TikTok video addressing the issue. "That's speed tape, [...] and speed tape is an aluminum-base tape that's designed specifically for aviation due to the large speeds and the large temperature differentials that aircraft are subjected to."
As the aircraft mechanic, who goes by the username @airplanefactswithmax on TikTok, will have you know, speed tape doesn't actually have the same function as regular tape.
"Speed tape doesn't actually hold anything together," they explain. Instead, sometimes, it's used as a temporary sealant to prevent moisture from entering specific components. Sure, it is a temporary repair material, but it isn't responsible for preventing your plane's wings from breaking mid-flight.
If you don't believe him, believe the Federal Aviation Administration. "Speed tape, also known as aluminum tape, is a material used for temporary, minor repairs to nonstructural aircraft components," an FAA spokesperson told Thrillist. "FAA regulations require an operator to follow the aircraft manufacturer's maintenance manuals, which may allow for the installation of speed tape for temporary use in certain situations."
You can relax now and enjoy your flight stress-free.