Airbubba
25th May 2001, 08:17
May 25, 2001
The Beef Crisis
Boeing Says Foot-and-Mouth Spray
Could Damage Metal Parts on Planes
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY -- Boeing Co. has alerted airlines that a disinfectant sprayed on airplanes at European airports to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease could damage the plane's metal parts.
Boeing sent the warning in March after several airlines asked about the effect of the disinfectant -- sodium hypochlorite or bleach -- on airplanes, spokeswoman Liz Verdier said Thursday from the company's headquarters in Seattle. Boeing did not identify the airlines that made the inquiry.
The disinfectant can cause planes' brakes, axles and landing gear to become brittle and make them wear faster than normal, a potential safety hazard, according to Boeing and Air Force officials. Ms. Verdier said Boeing does not know of any mechanical failures because of the use of the disinfectant.
Planes arriving at airports in England, France, Italy and Spain have been sprayed with the disinfectant since March to prevent the spread of the disease, according to Doug Wiser, a landing gear system engineer at Utah's Hill Air Force Base. The spray is not used at airports in the United States, he said.
Foot-and-mouth disease does not affect humans but has led to the destruction of thousands of cattle and sheep in Europe. The disease is airborne and could spread to a country through dust stuck to a plane.
Recent tests conducted by the Air Force indicate the disinfectant can corrode steel, said Maj. Samuel Hudspath at Hill Air Force Base. At least 40 Air Force planes were sprayed after landing in Europe, he said.
Hill Air Force Base maintains 80% of the landing gear on Department of Defense aircraft, much of it mailed to the base north of Salt Lake City.
"Our No. 1 concern is a phenomena where a steel part fails with no warning," said Wiser. "It could be anything -- the shock absorber, or an axle or a piston. The chemical is very unpredictable."
Mr. Wiser said he has run tests in which a small steel bar breaks under pressure after being submerged in the chemical.
The Beef Crisis
Boeing Says Foot-and-Mouth Spray
Could Damage Metal Parts on Planes
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY -- Boeing Co. has alerted airlines that a disinfectant sprayed on airplanes at European airports to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease could damage the plane's metal parts.
Boeing sent the warning in March after several airlines asked about the effect of the disinfectant -- sodium hypochlorite or bleach -- on airplanes, spokeswoman Liz Verdier said Thursday from the company's headquarters in Seattle. Boeing did not identify the airlines that made the inquiry.
The disinfectant can cause planes' brakes, axles and landing gear to become brittle and make them wear faster than normal, a potential safety hazard, according to Boeing and Air Force officials. Ms. Verdier said Boeing does not know of any mechanical failures because of the use of the disinfectant.
Planes arriving at airports in England, France, Italy and Spain have been sprayed with the disinfectant since March to prevent the spread of the disease, according to Doug Wiser, a landing gear system engineer at Utah's Hill Air Force Base. The spray is not used at airports in the United States, he said.
Foot-and-mouth disease does not affect humans but has led to the destruction of thousands of cattle and sheep in Europe. The disease is airborne and could spread to a country through dust stuck to a plane.
Recent tests conducted by the Air Force indicate the disinfectant can corrode steel, said Maj. Samuel Hudspath at Hill Air Force Base. At least 40 Air Force planes were sprayed after landing in Europe, he said.
Hill Air Force Base maintains 80% of the landing gear on Department of Defense aircraft, much of it mailed to the base north of Salt Lake City.
"Our No. 1 concern is a phenomena where a steel part fails with no warning," said Wiser. "It could be anything -- the shock absorber, or an axle or a piston. The chemical is very unpredictable."
Mr. Wiser said he has run tests in which a small steel bar breaks under pressure after being submerged in the chemical.