Speedtape on VivaAerobus wing

[underfire]

Passengers on Mexican budget carrier VivaAerobus were alarmed to see what appeared to be a gaping hole above one of the engines on a domestic flight from Monterrey to Tampico last week.

One passenger filmed the makeshift repair out his window and posted a clip to YouTube saying: “Some people take very seriously the saying that the duct tape fixes everything” (translated).

The airline has released a statement saying it “deeply regrets” the situation and the unease it caused passengers.

https://s.yimg.com/ea/img/-/140708/vivaaerobus_19rn5gr-19rn5h0.jpg

[fa2fi]

So did the hole open up in flight or did it happen in flight?

[Tinwacker]

Well from the picture it very much looks like an access hole with the access panel missing or removed, hence the speed tape application badly applied perhaps..

[compressor stall]

I can't speak for open access holes, but speed tape repair / protection is allowable under the AMM in some circumstances.