Definition
Designed to break, snap, or yield easily on impact rather than resist it. In aviation, frangible components and structures are intentionally engineered to fail under a defined load so that an aircraft striking them sustains minimal damage and occupants are protected.
Plain English
Built to break on purpose. The part is made weak in a controlled way so that if something hits it, the part gives way instead of causing serious damage.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance and airport equipment descriptions where a part, fitting, or structure is intended to break away under impact.
Derivation
From Latin frangere, meaning 'to break.' The same root gives us 'fracture' and 'fragment.' Knowing the root makes the meaning easy to hold: frangible = breakable by design.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces aircraft damage and injury risk during runway excursions or unintended contact with ground fixtures.
Intuition Check
Frangible does not just mean weak or badly made. It means breakable by design, for a specific safety or protection purpose.
Example Sentence 1
The approach light masts near the runway threshold are frangible, so an aircraft that touches down short will snap them off cleanly rather than be damaged.
Example Sentence 2
Frangible fittings on the taxiway markers help protect aircraft that veer off the paved surface.