The subsequent investigation and findings on XV345 lead to a vastly improved understanding of fatigue management and formed a cornerstone of the MAA Structures Lectures for many years. The recovery program was thorough and lasted a few years.
But investigations are sometimes more fortuitous than scientific. My colleagues in the fatigue group couldn't understand why the wear on the Fin attachment lugs was so high. Until one of the management team visiting Lossie just happened (in the bar) to heard about the poor windscreen cleaning for salt at low level and how the crew pushed the button for fluid and kicked the rudder a few times to spread it - Bingo !
Last edited by teeonefixer; 8th Feb 2021 at 22:29.