Failed And Worn

Inspection of the sidewall structure revealed a failed crosstie at fuselage station 227.125. The part cracked fully in two pieces and is deformed from its original flat shape, apparently from compression. Two rivets immediately above the break have failed. No other crossties (p/n 101-420013-1122) display any deformation, cracking or evidence of preload.Part Total Time: 8186 hours

Editorial Staff

Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft components, ranging from structural elements like fuselage crossties and wing spars to engine parts and landing gear power packs, are susceptible to diverse mechanical failures.
Causes of failure vary from long-term wear and latent damage from past incidents (e.g., ground loops) to manufacturing defects in recently overhauled components (e.g., fractured solder joints).
These incidents highlight the critical need for comprehensive and diligent inspections to identify issues, especially in older aircraft or those with a history of damage, despite overhaul efforts.