Undetected damage overnight on ramp attributed to microburst. Front of aircraft moved 5m. laterally. Trouble on take-off.
"The investigation determined that the probable cause of the incident was “undetected structural damage caused to the rudder system by violent wind gusts associated with a microburst, while the aircraft was parked.”
One of the contributory factors cited by the report was “the absence of a requirement in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) to comprehensively check the flight control systems of an aircraft which has been subjected to an extreme meteorological event.”
The AAIU has issued a single safety recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The investigation also determined that “given the situation in which they found themselves once the aircraft became airborne, the issues were operationally well handled by the flight crew."
'Significant' storm damage to Ryanair jet not detected until later flight - Independent.ie