How often do bits and pieces fall off planes?
Hello,
I was wondering just how common is it for various parts fall off planes? Understandobly this is vary likely in the event of a tail, wing, engine strike - usually (hopefully) the pilots would report this to ATC and someone would check that no debris is left before the next plane uses the runway.
Birdstrike can also lead to pieces falling off - but would the crew always be aware that a birstrike had occured? - Doubt it. Finally we have bits coming off of their own accord - well - unless it's something significant i.e. an engine or stabiliser - probably won't be noticed until someone inspects the runway?
So how often are various metal pieces of various sizes found on runways? Does this happen sufficiently often so that engineers and regulators should take them into account when designing and certifying aircraft? Planes are designed to handle birdstrikes - as these are likely to occur. Unlike trains however, they are not desgined to survive cow strikes ;-)
Did the designers of Concorde ever brainstorm what could possibly lead to a tyre failure? Were they able to draw on the experience gained from other types showing how failure of a cut tyre differs from that of an underinflated one?
Regards,
Golf-Sierra