What is a key reason for performing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) on aircraft structures?

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is critical in aircraft maintenance because it allows for the assessment of material integrity and structural health without inflicting damage on the aircraft components. This technique is essential for ensuring safety, as it can identify flaws such as cracks, corrosion, or other defects that could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft during operation. By using methods such as ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, or dye penetrant tests, technicians can gather vital information about the condition of materials while still maintaining their usability.

The other options do not align with the primary objectives of NDT. Gaining insight into aircraft design is not typically a function of NDT, and while preparing an aircraft for painting or tracking flight hours are important tasks, they do not directly involve evaluating the structural safety and reliability of aircraft components. Thus, the key reason NDT is performed is its ability to provide crucial information about the health of materials without causing any harm to them.