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NTSB Report
May 9, 1988 · Boeing 747-136 · GAWND
Chicago, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (304 uninjured)
Location
Chicago, IL
Aircraft
Boeing 747-136
Tail Number
GAWND
Operator
British Airways
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI88FA110
THE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO CHICAGO O'HARE INTER'L AIRPORT WHEN A STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE FLAP TRACK OCCURRED. THE ACFT 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 ACFT 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.
NTSB 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.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO CHICAGO O'HARE INTER'L AIRPORT WHEN A STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE FLAP TRACK OCCURRED. THE ACFT 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 ACFT 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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 CDT
Nearest AirportChicago O'Hare (5nm E)
Runway27L
Runway Length10140 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 747-136
Tail NumberGAWND
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBritish Airways
Operating RulePart 129
Engines4
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT9D-7 · Turbofan · 40000
Seats395
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (304 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured304
Total304
Crew 1Age 41 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 16 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC