from the message board at airdisaster.com
http://www.airdisaster.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20259
Details are sketchy, got a good friend in the air safety buerau, will see what he says…this is a leased B767-300ER, not that old, and the massive crack appeared when the aeroplane was on final approach on a flight from MIA to VVI.The DFDR and CVR have been removed and sent to the NTSB for analysis, but a heavy landing whilst on duty with a previous operator or corrosion are the likely causes.
The airline is LAB from Bolivia, which has a good maintenance record, it has not lost a jet in any accidents, and only one hull loss, in EZE when a newly purchased B727 from the US lost the left gear whilst taxyiing….corrosion was to blame, there were no injuries.
This sounds as very serious. Hopefully this will not affec the entire fleet of 767s worldwide. I can imagine that after this incident, and a similar one earlier with Asiana, that airlines will be advised to pay closer attention during maintenance on cracks.
By: Bmused55 - 12th August 2004 at 10:32
Most likely or some heavy landingg in the past, that has been overlooked.
Indeed.
I just spoke to an acquaintance. Apparently the plane had a nose first landing a few cycles ago, which was not reported by the pilots.
A sudden wind shear on short finals pushed the tail up and the nose gear hit the deck first, with an “uncomfortable” thump.
A cursory check of the plane shortly after this recent incident confirms damage from a previous incident, apparently
By: seahawk - 11th August 2004 at 17:01
Most likely or some heavy landingg in the past, that has been overlooked.
By: Bmused55 - 11th August 2004 at 07:25
or it can be simple metal fatigue.
On a fairly young aircraft of this day and age? Not likely.
Not saying it is impossible, but its not likely.
A lot of dubious Aircraft painting companies in that part of the world, could be down to improper paint stripping as already suggested.
By: KabirT - 11th August 2004 at 03:11
or it can be simple metal fatigue.
By: Dantheman77 - 11th August 2004 at 00:57
Yes..RyanAir had to retire some 732’s early because of cracks found in the body and also on a Qantas 744…the FAA think its down to paint removal techniques in the overlaps/joints,instead of using a wooden tool to remove the paint,some maintanence company’s have been using a metal tool. An FAA bulletin has been sent out to all airlines and Boeing is updating its maintanence procedures manual.
the FAA has quoted that fatigue crack found in one aircraft was 15-20mm long
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August 10, 2004 at 11:09 pm
