Atlas Air N429MC 747 part falls into Miami International Mall parking lot
 

Federal authorities are investigating why a canoe-shaped part from a cargo jet dropped into a mall parking lot just before the plane landed at Miami International Airport on Friday morning.

Although no one was hurt, the incident had the potential to be deadly, authorities said.

"We'll look into every aspect of this situation to determine why it happened," Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said. "We'll examine the part, the aircraft and its maintenance records."

Bergen said FAA inspectors determined the fiberglass part, weighing about 150 pounds, came from the flap assembly of an Atlas Air Boeing 747. Flaps are a part of the wing that help a plane slow down when extended.

Although parts rarely fall off large aircraft, it still occurs about twice a year in the United States, said Robert Breiling, a Boca Raton-based aviation accident analyst.

"Usually, it happens because a pilot or mechanic didn't do the preflight inspection properly," he said.

Atlas Air, one of the world's largest air freight companies, issued a statement on its website, saying it is cooperating with authorities.

"Atlas is grateful that no one was injured and is investigating the matter further," said the statement from the company, which is based in Purchase, N.Y.

According to federal records, the plane was a 20-year-old Boeing 747-481.

150-pound part falls from cargo jet into parking lot of Miami International Mall - OrlandoSentinel.com

Rubber Hammers
 

Idispensible for pre flight walk around.

The Rome Convention comes to mind :8

Rubber Hammers
Indispensable for pre flight walk around.

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The 747 flap canoes are about 14-20 feet off the ground. A little difficult to pre-flight other than visually checking to see if it is attached/aligned in what would be a normal manner.

Canoe fairing
 

So that is why Boeing have SBs on this very subject, corrosion and bolt failure.
"As viewed from the ground the canoe fairing was attached during the pre-flight inspection", they said.

Where do I file the libel case.....??????

Yes could have been very serious if the fairing had wrapped round the stabiliser leading edge.

TW

Very well known and documented problem with the 'classic', can't speak for the 400. As I recall the failing was helped by restricting use of full flap and the associated buffet. Nothing to get excited about really, bits do fall off of machines, maybe airport planners should reconsider where they choose to locate public areas.
Retiring to bunker!

AFAIK, that was also restricted mainly to the -100s. We have no restrictions on our Classics (all -200s and -300s), and I can't remember losing one in recent history.

Thanks for the update Intruder.