Flaperon washes up on Reunion Island
Seems rather that the authorities would be able to take a bow, as this debris would support their working hypothesis of a resting place somewhere in the Indian Ocean. Does not help find the rest of the plane, but validates the Intelsat calculations.
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Flap Damage
Based on the damage to the edge of the flap in the following picture (and because the apparent flap is the only piece of recovered wreckage), it seems the flap may have been extended when it made contact with the water. Did a controlled landing on the water take place?
http://blog-peuravion.fr/wp-content/...4-12589277.png
http://blog-peuravion.fr/wp-content/...4-12589277.png
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Based purely on rough approximations from pictures of 777s, it looks about the right size to me. The flaperon appears to cover less than 1/10 of the length of the wing, which puts it under 3m long.
Also, from the damage, it would presumably have to be composite rather than metal? That might eliminate some other possibilities.
Also, from the damage, it would presumably have to be composite rather than metal? That might eliminate some other possibilities.
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Serial Numbers and other identifying marks are not really necessary are they? If the part is conclusively identified as from a 777 then it has to be MH370, there are no other relevant hull losses. Some news outlets are stating that Boeing personnel are on their way to Reunion, which would not be happening if there had been any definite evidence excluding MH370. But anybody want to take a bet that if it is from a 777, within hours there'll be suggestions that it was intentionally planted?
Seems consistent with flap down controlled ditching. Mind you AF447 rudder was found in similar condition.
Will it be possible to backtrack the currents to narrow the search area?
Will it be possible to backtrack the currents to narrow the search area?
The piece looks way too short to be a flaperon from a B777. From the second photo in Telegraph article, it's at most 2.5 m long. B777's inboard flap is at least 5 m long. Either it got snapped in half (doubtful, since both edges look straight), or it's not from a 777.
That looks like a flaperon to me, and unless there are more missing 777s that we don't know about. Its a good bet its from MH370.
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B777 flaperon or aileron part?
The various photos of the piece found appear to show a part more rectangular than a 777 flaperon. The part also appears to be slightly tapered, unlike a flaperon. Maybe it is part of the outer aileron.
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If this turns out to be true, it is big news. Finally a trace is found.
A worrying theory that has not been widely publicized, came from US (and other's) intelligence suggesting the aircraft was stolen and was awaiting future use as a part of a terrorist plot. This discovery could allay those fears, particularly if, with newfound resolve, redoubled efforts result in locating the missing aircraft.
A worrying theory that has not been widely publicized, came from US (and other's) intelligence suggesting the aircraft was stolen and was awaiting future use as a part of a terrorist plot. This discovery could allay those fears, particularly if, with newfound resolve, redoubled efforts result in locating the missing aircraft.
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very likely 777 flaperon
The engineering drawings put the length of the flaperon at 7 feet. It is tapered from narrow at INBD end to wider at O/B end. The data plate which would have the serial number is missing from the INBD end of flaperon. The composite design uses several parts and fasteners plus nutplates. There should be visible part numbers once some panels can be removed. The entire trailing edge wedge of the flaperon is missing. This is the R/H flaperon.
Last edited by sockfocksAP; 30th Jul 2015 at 13:34.
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If I was a betting man.. I would be putting my money on South African Airways Flight 295
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Very obvious a B777 flaperon (the smaller one, not downfolded, in the middle on the photo below)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...psBrake777.JPG
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 29th Jul 2015 at 22:38. Reason: Image too large
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Drift of buoys since march 8th 2014
Doesn't seem to help much.
Ship Status Report: callsign 56568: ? sailwx.info
Buoy 53592 ? sailwx.info
Ship Status Report: callsign 56568: ? sailwx.info
Buoy 53592 ? sailwx.info
Last edited by OleOle; 29th Jul 2015 at 21:47. Reason: removed buoy that had only data back to July 2014
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What is the source of the drawings being used to declare it a 777 part? I've seen two different drawings, one for each side, but no source to confirm someone didn't draw them based on what they see in the pictures.
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Marine growth accumulates surprisingly quickly. If anything, this seems fairly clean for something that is supposed to have been in the water for over a year. It is certainly not debris from some long past accident.