Seaplane down off Miami Beach
Given the nature of the defect that apparently initated the crack, why is the inspection limited to Turbo Mallards? Why not R-1340 powered ones?
(I could even ask - why limited to Mallards?)
(I could even ask - why limited to Mallards?)
A little bit like the B747 pylon issue. We asked the same questions then. Why stop at the B747? With time the answer became clearer as more than a few folks offered up data beyond the B747 giving us back a warm feeling.
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My initial impression is that the hole was drilled by a dunce, and is a one-off misstep in someone's poorly-controlled shop. But it could be intentional (sabotage), in which case one would have no reason to suspect only Turbo Mallards.
Perhaps the sleuths can give some estimate of the age of the hole, and that could focus the investigation further. One might surmise that's what's happening now.
Perhaps the sleuths can give some estimate of the age of the hole, and that could focus the investigation further. One might surmise that's what's happening now.
Re: Seaplane down off Miami Beach
The Emergency AD applies to all models of the Mallard. It looks like a bitch because in addition to the spar inspections, all of the skin in the wet bay between the engine and fuselage has to be inspected. This means all the tank sealant has to be stripped, not a nice job.
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Re: Seaplane down off Miami Beach
Originally Posted by Big Pistons Forever
The Emergency AD applies to all models of the Mallard.
2006-01-51 12/30/2005 Emergency AD: Frakes Aviation (Gulfstream American) Model G-73 (Mallard) series airplanes; and Model G-73 airplanes that have been converted to have turbine engines
Re: Seaplane down off Miami Beach
The G-73 is a piston Mallard. The turbine one is a G-73T. I believe that Frakes now owns the type certificate for all versions of the Mallard. In any case as far as Transport Canada is concerned it applies to all Mallard.
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Re: Seaplane down off Miami Beach
The pictures posted on the NTSB website depict the worst butchering of a spar angle I have seen to date. The rivet where the angle failed had a converging binnocular hole at an angle, the fastner outboard of that had a tail not bucked properly. It, also was at an angle. This is the worst mess I have seen on "anything" much less on a flying aircraft. Just shamefull.
The first lawsuit was filed today for $50 million, someone is in it for this. I pray they can find the rest of the handywork by this chap before another tragedy impacts the flying public.
Terrible shame this...
The first lawsuit was filed today for $50 million, someone is in it for this. I pray they can find the rest of the handywork by this chap before another tragedy impacts the flying public.
Terrible shame this...
Last edited by AntiCrash; 4th Jan 2006 at 03:28. Reason: Misspelling
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Re: Seaplane down off Miami Beach
2006-01-51 12/30/2005 Emergency AD: Frakes Aviation (Gulfstream American) Model G-73 (Mallard) series airplanes...
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Re: Seaplane down off Miami Beach
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper says that the NTSB issued a report today that says there were also fatigue cracks in the left wing of the Mallard that crashed.
http://tinyurl.com/aa67z
Editied to add:
Sorry for posting an old report that the journo seemed to think was just off the press.
Further edited:
...and it was. See AntiCrash.
http://tinyurl.com/aa67z
Editied to add:
Sorry for posting an old report that the journo seemed to think was just off the press.
Further edited:
...and it was. See AntiCrash.
Last edited by seacue; 11th Jan 2006 at 00:52.
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Re: Seaplane down off Miami Beach
Not really new news, the preliminary NTSB Report dated December 19th states
Does anyone know, from which material the lower spar flanges are made on a Mallard ? I suppose it is some corrosion resistant type from the 5000 or 6000 series of aluminum alloys. These are not really good with respect to fatigue, while most of the alloys with good fatigue properties are prone to corrosion.
Preliminary metallurgical examination has located evidence of fatigue cracking in the lower rear wing spar cap, along the lower wing skin, and on an internal z-stringer. Additional evidence of fatigue cracking has been noted in the corresponding area on the left wing.
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Re: Seaplane down off Miami Beach
Originally Posted by Big Pistons Forever
The G-73 is a piston Mallard. The turbine one is a G-73T. I believe that Frakes now owns the type certificate for all versions of the Mallard. In any case as far as Transport Canada is concerned it applies to all Mallard.
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Very Relevant in Parts
http://www.casa.gov.au/airworth/pape...oCommander.pdf
The Story Behind 24 Aero Commander airborne wing-sheddings (by 1995) with a total of a further 35 a/c found, on the ground, to have cracked main-spars.
"Despite their robust appearance, at last count 24 Aero Commanders had lost wings in flight, 35 spars had been found cracked on the ground, and hundreds of other spars had defects caused by:
fatigue
corrosion
stress corrosion
static overload
The Story Behind 24 Aero Commander airborne wing-sheddings (by 1995) with a total of a further 35 a/c found, on the ground, to have cracked main-spars.
"Despite their robust appearance, at last count 24 Aero Commanders had lost wings in flight, 35 spars had been found cracked on the ground, and hundreds of other spars had defects caused by:
fatigue
corrosion
stress corrosion
static overload
