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BA 787 Nosewheel collapse @ LHR

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BA 787 Nosewheel collapse @ LHR

Old 18th Jun 2021, 15:37
  #21 (permalink)  
 
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Don't we ever learn?
The BAe 146 had a problem where the downlock pin could be placed in a hole in the torque link instead of the downlock. That was fixed with a plastic bung in the wrong hole, 40 odd years ago.
I know it's not Boeing but don't Designers/Engineers learn from others?
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 16:08
  #22 (permalink)  
 
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wiggy

Seems unlikely to me, the hole diameters are totally different:

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Old 18th Jun 2021, 16:12
  #23 (permalink)  
 
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Might "seem unlikely" to you, nevertheless the FAA appears to have a different view...
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 16:14
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No idea whether it's unlikely or not, just quoting verbatim what the FAA published.
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 16:28
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Dang...
I would love to see how they repair this composite structure.
Although it was not a big damage (i'm guessing...) it still will be a hard work to do and a big check to get it out of the shop.
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 16:29
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Get a photo from the other side, the diameter of the incorrect hole is smaller on the left and “takes the pin snugly”.

Here’s the relevant FAA narrative.

Narrative 1
New B787 aircraft arrived for post-delivery mod. The NLG drag brace pivot link hollow bolt will accept the gear pin snuggly from LH side while the correct locking hole is 3 inches away and "unmarked." An inexperienced mechanic could accidentally place the locking pin in the wrong hole leading to gear collapse during ground testing damaging the aircraft and potentially injuring or killing persons in the vicinity of the gear.
Apply sealant or similar mitigation to the LH inside bolt hole, mark correct hole with red outline. Has previous Engineering Authorization been implemented on the fleet?


Seems like an accident waiting to happen to me. Except it has happened. Three times. I’d suggest this needs to be a mandatory urgent mod before it happens again.
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 16:41
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I agree. There should be a placard: “NOT THIS ONE”.
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 17:05
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We should probably wait before hanging a poor mechanic or ground handler out to dry until we have ascertained whether or not BA have embodied the relevant Boeing SB (as far as I'm aware, there is no corresponding EASA AD equivalent to the FAA one).
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 17:18
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Additional info -AD 2019-23-07 introduces an insert for the Apex pin bore and has a compliance time of 3 years from Jan 2020.
Now where is that bloke Murphy ?
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 17:51
  #30 (permalink)  
 
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There are aware of the problem as

it has happened before.
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 18:06
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As someone who spent 27 years in IT and Telecommunications trying to make systems fool proof, the idea of a 21st cetury designed pin NOT having a unique notch/detent/angle/single entry point is another indication that Boeing really threw the book on the fire. Possibly on the fire of a 787 lithium battery pack
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 19:07
  #32 (permalink)  
 
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Am I missing something here? Notwithstanding that the nosegear ground lock pin was incorrectly positioned, the crew are onboard and the aircraft being made ready for departure so why would hydraulic and electrical selections be made such that the leg is unlocked and starts to retract?
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 19:24
  #33 (permalink)  
 
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Line maintenance means we could be fixing/testing systems to ensure servicibility of the aircraft right up until departure, nothing unusual in that.
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 19:46
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Pure supposition but i would strongly suspect NLG door or gear position solenoid issue and gear function test carried out with the ensuing result . I wonder if the test passed ?
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 19:51
  #35 (permalink)  
 
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Wot spannersatcx said...it certainly didn't use to be unheard of to have rectification/maintenance being performed in parallel with pre-departure processes...just for once it probably was just as well this was a freight only service..
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 19:53
  #36 (permalink)  
 
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kingstonboy

That configuration bears no resemblance to the photo in post #22.

Which one is actually the 787 NLG ?
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 20:58
  #37 (permalink)  
 
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I think most types have at least one example of a nose gear collapse/retract and not just Boeing.

It is unnerving seeing the landing gear lever selected up as part of a maintenance check whilst firmly on the ground especially when you feel and hear the gear doors move.
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 21:12
  #38 (permalink)  
 
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3 years

If they had 3 years to modify the aircraft, and we’ve had a year of many cancelled flights, why wasn’t the modification done earlier?
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 21:18
  #39 (permalink)  
 
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DaveReidUK

Answering my own question, the photo in post #22 is the MLG - interesting, but no relevance to today's incident.
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Old 18th Jun 2021, 21:55
  #40 (permalink)  
 
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Three years to fit a plastic bung?
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