737NGs have cracked 'pickle forks' after finding several in the jets.
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When I was in the tech side we had a certain NDI inspector who could ground any aircraft for a crack if he was in the mood. Our job was to prep the areas that needed inspection by removing whatever was in the way, ( landing gear, hyd lines, etc.) then he’d set up and spend the rest of the day with his eddy current or penetrating dye, man we would groan when he rolled up because the jet was likely going to fail. Any jet has cracksif you look long enough, some obvious and some require a microscope, just an observation.
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A few have been found cracked at Europe's favourite low cost airline.
One has gone to the states for a repair, granted a 1 time ferry flight, another is under preservation status in STN and can been seen with all the engines/tyres etc all wrapped up outside the hangar until they work out what to do with it. I have been told it will take up to 6 weeks to repair, and they do not have the spare hangar bays available to repair it as yet.
One has gone to the states for a repair, granted a 1 time ferry flight, another is under preservation status in STN and can been seen with all the engines/tyres etc all wrapped up outside the hangar until they work out what to do with it. I have been told it will take up to 6 weeks to repair, and they do not have the spare hangar bays available to repair it as yet.
Anyone know if TUI has found any cracks?
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No. and adding words for a 10 character reply.
As for the location, the Boeing instructions, reference by the FAA AC includes photos of the cracks.
Go back to the earlier posts for links to both documents.
The cracks are through fasteners to the forward edge of the part.
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Someone’s always gotta make a wisecrack.
D’oh!
On a serious note: spoke to an engineer today who opined about five weeks work to repair, but there are no parts yet apparently, Plus the aircraft has to be put in jigs which are uncommon and not very portable and of course one set of jigs might do one repair per month. My employer apparently has a set, but several aircraft to repair.
These cracks appearing so much earlier than the AD contemplates would indicate that eventually almost every NG will need at least one new set of forgings. Perhaps replacement will become a mandatory part of heavy overhaul.
I read that these forgings may have 0.008” oversized bolt holes. I wonder if tighter tolerances on the replacement parts will be a permanent fix?
D’oh!
On a serious note: spoke to an engineer today who opined about five weeks work to repair, but there are no parts yet apparently, Plus the aircraft has to be put in jigs which are uncommon and not very portable and of course one set of jigs might do one repair per month. My employer apparently has a set, but several aircraft to repair.
These cracks appearing so much earlier than the AD contemplates would indicate that eventually almost every NG will need at least one new set of forgings. Perhaps replacement will become a mandatory part of heavy overhaul.
I read that these forgings may have 0.008” oversized bolt holes. I wonder if tighter tolerances on the replacement parts will be a permanent fix?
Last edited by Australopithecus; 2nd Nov 2019 at 03:45.
Australopithecus
And also, would reworking of the so far, uncracked pickleforks in situ, be feasible, effective in preventing future cracking and still be economical?
Otherwise, one would assume that the pickleforks on all B737 NG aircraft will eventually crack when reaching say, 35,000 to 45,000 cycles, unless some other close-out action is taken.
I read that these forgings may have 0.008” oversized bolt holes. I wonder if tighter tolerances on the replacement parts will be a permanent fix?
Otherwise, one would assume that the pickleforks on all B737 NG aircraft will eventually crack when reaching say, 35,000 to 45,000 cycles, unless some other close-out action is taken.
Australopithecus
And also, would reworking of the so far, uncracked pickleforks in situ, be feasible, effective in preventing future cracking and still be economical?
Otherwise, one would assume that the pickleforks on all B737 NG aircraft will eventually crack when reaching say, 35,000 to 45,000 cycles, unless some other close-out action is taken.
And also, would reworking of the so far, uncracked pickleforks in situ, be feasible, effective in preventing future cracking and still be economical?
Otherwise, one would assume that the pickleforks on all B737 NG aircraft will eventually crack when reaching say, 35,000 to 45,000 cycles, unless some other close-out action is taken.
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So why are we dealing with 50 year old airframe design?
[h2=left]Boeing 737 - Wikipedia[/h2]
Surely computers can now design better airframe to accommodate modern engines .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737
The 737 was originally envisioned in 1964. The initial 737-100 made its first flight in April 1967, and entered airline service in February 1968 with LufthansSurely computers can now design better airframe to accommodate modern engines .
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Boeing 737 - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737
The 737 was originally envisioned in 1964. The initial 737-100 made its first flight in April 1967, and entered airline service in February 1968 with LufthansSurely computers can now design better airframe to accommodate modern engines .
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737 airframe is ancient airframe
737 airframe is ancient airframe .and should be scrapped because computers these days can design airframe, available engine, compatability.
Boeing may NOW consider that they should have put their considerable money into the development of a fresh frame perhaps 5 years ago but the 737 family is so popular that the incentive was not there
