the wings snapped off
No, it didn't.
refer the
report pg5,
figure 12 on pg21,
figure 15 pg 23
figure 16 pg 24
1.12.2.2 Main landing gear
The left main landing gear remained intact (Figure 16). The wing rear spar,
upper fixed brace, upper side brace, lower side brace, lock links, strut (PN
NRG6719-501, S/N BFGS 01027) and truck had no visible damage that would
suggest gear failure or strut over-compression. The chrome extension on the
strut measured 4.75 inches (in.) and the paint below the chrome did not
demonstrate signatures of strut over-travel. All four (4) tires were inflated.
The center main landing gear remained relatively intact; however, the aircraft
structure surrounding the gear attach points was largely consumed by fire. The
gear sat slightly forward and to the right of the normal down and locked
position. The strut ( no visible data plate), gear braces and truck had no visible
damage that would suggest gear failure or strut over-compression. The chrome
extension on the strut measured 9.5 in. and the paint below the chrome did not
demonstrate signatures of strut over-travel. The two (2) tires were inflated.
The right main landing gear remained intact. The wing rear spar, upper fixed
brace, upper side brace, lower side brace, lock links, strut (PN NRG6719-501,
S/N BFGS 01028) and truck had no visible damage that would suggest gear
failure or strut over-compression. A piece of speed tape type material was
located just above the junction of the upper side brace and upper fixed brace.
This speed tape was partially peeled back. There was also evidence of an
imprint on the bottom side of a wheel well upper panel that appeared to have
been made by a hinge located on the upper fixed brace. The chrome extension
on the strut measured 4.13 in. and the paint below the chrome did not
demonstrate signatures of strut over-travel. All four (4) tires were inflated
This MD11 wing and wing gear remained intact. Appendix B provides a table of hard landing incidents/accidents where in a number of cases the wing gear/aft spar has failed and results in a rollover, as in Kentucky, Hong kong or Narita.