Originally Posted by
waito
How dangerous is this departing panel? Material, mass... (regarding impact on some aircraft sections, people, ground equipment)?
What remains of the panel, in the photograph, appears to show that it is largely constructed from layers of either Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), or Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP), or possibly both, around a core of non-metallic honeycomb. These are common materials used in aircraft structures, and result in lighter weight parts, compared to, for example, a similar part skinned with aluminium alloy.
However, despite being
relatively light, a fibre reinforced plastic and honeycomb piece, of the size suggested by the missing piece in the photo, falling from thousands of feet, likely spinning due to uneven aerodynamic forces, will certainly have the mass and capability to cause death or serious injury. Humans are soft and squishy, and the rough, broken edge of a falling, spinning piece like that could easily scythe into flesh. Quite apart from what being smacked on the head by the weight of the piece would do!
More solid, inorganic objects are also very likely to be damaged. 😉