A structural member for an aircraft or spacecraft has at least one fiber plastic composite, the fiber plastic composite having at least one or a plurality of plies. The structural member also has at least one pre-stressing means providing internal stresses to the fiber plastic composite. The fiber plastic composite and the pre-stressing means are configured and arranged to form a balanced system the internal stresses of which are essentially balanced to zero in a cured state of the said system. The balanced system of the structural member is able to counteract loading stresses exerted to the airframe in service such, that a damage caused by the loading stress is easily detectable visually.