ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 326555
| Date: | Monday 9 May 1988 |
| Time: | 16:35 |
| Type: |  Boeing 747-136 |
| Owner/operator: | British Airways |
| Registration: | G-AWND |
| MSN: | 19764/107 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1971 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1868 hours |
| Engine model: | Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7A |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 304 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial, repaired |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, IL (ORD) -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) |
| Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, IL (ORD/KORD) | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The aircraft was on final approach to Chicago O'Hare Airport when a structural failure of the number three flap track occurred. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left inboard flap assembly, left inboard spoilers and spoiler support beam. The pilot experienced significant uncommanded roll and yaw, but regained control of the aircraft and executed an uneventful landing.
The investigation has revealed a history of flap track cracking problems associated with stress corrosion and design inadequacy. A design change of the member was accomplished in 1971 by the manufacturer, but flap tracks of the earlier design were allowed to remain in service on 239 aircraft. The airworthiness directives and service bulletins applicable to this particular structural member are not adequate in methodology and periodicity to ensure crack detection, and do not require inspection for the cause of the crack-corrosion pits.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the number three flap track due to stress corrosion cracking. factors contributing to this failure are insufficient design of the member and inadequate inspection and maintenance procedures to detect cracks before they propagate to a critical length."
Sources:
NTSB
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 18 February 1991 | G-AWND | British Airways | 0 | Kuwait International Airport (KWI) |  |
w/o |
Revision history:
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