Flaperon washes up on Reunion Island
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Could close examination by a metal specialist reveal a story about the stresses experienced by the piece and thus give some information of ditching vs high speed impact from high altitude...?
Damage to trailing edge might be interesting though. Composites should still show whether it failed in tension or compression after contact with seawater. If lower skin failed in tension, upper in compression/bending, controlled ditching with deflected flaps becomes a realistic scenario.
At least something to analyse, so we can stop speculating.
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per L'info à La Réunion
here's a clearer picture of the case:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLJcILpW8AAIstc.jpg:large
the suitcase, which was zipped and found to have traces of rust, was in a "very bad condition".... but it does not look like it has been floating in water for over a year.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLJcILpW8AAIstc.jpg:large
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does it make it seem more likely it was a controlled ditching?
Not really. You could say the same about this piece
Not really. You could say the same about this piece
A gone trailing edge with a largely intact torque box is not very likely for an inflight breakup. The intact torque box alone could fit that scenario, both do make a high speed impact relatively unlikely, but such events are always somehow random, so a single piece does not tell too much.
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Hopefully more items will wash out on that island. I reckon a good look around on the beaches would be beneficial!
That so called suitcase is jst debris of what it was once a suitcase and it is gonna be hard to be identified as originating from an ac. Unless it is the same model/type of bag that crew are using.
That so called suitcase is jst debris of what it was once a suitcase and it is gonna be hard to be identified as originating from an ac. Unless it is the same model/type of bag that crew are using.
It is illogical to make any link between the aircraft part and a suitcase. There will be very few 777 parts floating in the Indian Ocean and so if the finding is confirmed there is a high probability it belongs to MH370. Suitcases - not nearly so unusual.
When finding any flotsam in the same area it may be tempting to link them, and if this was still mere days from the accident there may be some justification for that. But after all this time there is none.
When finding any flotsam in the same area it may be tempting to link them, and if this was still mere days from the accident there may be some justification for that. But after all this time there is none.
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The Air Aural engineer's reported comments as "99.9%" from a 777 has validity since they operate the type from the Island. A fascinating development if it is therefore from 370. Just one small piece of evidence can give so much more than none.
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Is there some mechanic around who knows where Boeing is putting the serial numbers? Looks like the fittings are torn off, it would be real bad luck if that is where the serial number label is attached...
The other numbers floating around here are access panel numbers, nothing to identify the specific aircraft. Access panels are removed frequently and lie around by the hundereds in the workshop, hence they all have (systematic) numbers.
It´s a serial number which could make all the difference between a piece of scrap and a piece of evidence...
The other numbers floating around here are access panel numbers, nothing to identify the specific aircraft. Access panels are removed frequently and lie around by the hundereds in the workshop, hence they all have (systematic) numbers.
It´s a serial number which could make all the difference between a piece of scrap and a piece of evidence...
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The number given corresponds to the are and panel number, S/N data plates are usually riveted to the outside so that can easily be checked there may also be it handwritten on the inside with a coat of varnish over it.
Sorry I can't get the picture as a URL to post directly here.
closeup image https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLKRLtrWsAERcfd.jpg:large
from this feed https://twitter.com/delarue_julien/s...716480/photo/1
Last edited by unworry; 30th Jul 2015 at 12:32. Reason: added url
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The NY Times reports (from Paris) that the BEA will bring the flaperon to a laboratory in France for analysis. The reporting indicated that the French were in the process of deciding which laboratory.
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It is illogical to make any link between the aircraft part and a suitcase. There will be very few 777 parts floating in the Indian Ocean and so if the finding is confirmed there is a high probability it belongs to MH370. Suitcases - not nearly so unusual.
When finding any flotsam in the same area it may be tempting to link them, and if this was still mere days from the accident there may be some justification for that. But after all this time there is none.
When finding any flotsam in the same area it may be tempting to link them, and if this was still mere days from the accident there may be some justification for that. But after all this time there is none.
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I've seen the occasional mention of a controlled "ditching" on water. I can't figure out in what event that could have occurred, seeing as the aircraft flew so far out in to the middle of nowhere. Why would it then ditch in a controlled fashion?
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AirLive.net: Piece of wing found on La Réunion Island could be #MH370 Boeing 777 flaperon
Quite a lot of info here
Quite a lot of info here
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Data plate/Serial Plate
The data plate is located on the inboard end of the Flaperon on the outside as per Boeing engineering drawing. It is a metal plate that is bonded/sealed on and not riveted. From the pictures of the inboard end the data plate has fallen off. Everyone keeps talking about a serial number and the data plate would have that information, sorry that direct evidence is gone. Only other method would be to look at part numbers on details that are part of the flaperon assembly. Some metal fittings may have an ID if they don't have sealer on the faying surface covering it. In that case it would more likely be a supplier ID and not a Boeing ID. The composite panels that build the assembly would have supplier IDs as well and would give you the date of manufacture of the details. Its possible the supplier kept a log of which details went into the assembly and that would give you a MFG date of the flaperon assembly.
I can't figure out in what event that could have occurred, seeing as the aircraft flew so far out in to the middle of nowhere. Why would it then ditch in a controlled fashion?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Hopefully more items will wash out on that island. I reckon a good look around on the beaches would be beneficial!
That so called suitcase is jst debris of what it was once a suitcase and it is gonna be hard to be identified as originating from an ac. Unless it is the same model/type of bag that crew are using.
That so called suitcase is jst debris of what it was once a suitcase and it is gonna be hard to be identified as originating from an ac. Unless it is the same model/type of bag that crew are using.
Have you ever tried to buy a matching piece of luggage?
Unless it is a very cheap case it should be possible to identify manufacturer, year of manufacture, get a picture of an original, determine where it could have been sold even. Then it might be possible for a relative to confirm if it might be that of a missing passenger.