Airliners.net forum: Ab 320 Engine Panel Falls Off During Climb Out

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Topic: Ab 320 Engine Panel Falls Off During Climb Out
Username: Gonzalo
Posted 2011-11-30 10:50:41 and read 2809 times.

This is not the first time ( and probably will not be the last ) that an aircraft component has detached in flight.
Thank god nobody was injured either on the ground or the aircraft.

http://www.avherald.com/h?article=446ebe7a&opt=0

Anyone with more info about this ?
How close is this airport to populated areas ?

Rgds.
G.

Topic: RE: Ab 320 Engine Panel Falls Off During Climb Out
Username: garpd
Posted 2011-11-30 11:38:29 and read 2514 times.

At least the engine won't have a chance to overheat

Topic: RE: Ab 320 Engine Panel Falls Off During Climb Out
Username: srbmod
Posted 2011-11-30 12:39:55 and read 2234 times.

Sounds like a similar situation to what happened to a Ryan International A320 several years back while operating for AirTran. One of their mechanics (Ryan Int'l, not AirTran) apparently didn't make sure the latch on one of the engine cowlings latched properly and during climb out, the panel was torn from the engine.

I wouldn't be surprised it this Wizzair incident mirrors the Ryan International incident, as I've heard this sort of thing has happened on multiple occasions, but not always resulting in parts falling off.

Topic: RE: Ab 320 Engine Panel Falls Off During Climb Out
Username: fpetrutiu
Posted 2011-11-30 12:48:03 and read 2171 times.

The airport is surrounded by not rural populated areas depending on which direction they took off on. If they webst east, there is nothing but open fields, west however, there are some business, car dealerships, and industrial areas.

Topic: RE: Ab 320 Engine Panel Falls Off During Climb Out
Username: B6JFKH81
Posted 2011-11-30 16:14:49 and read 1725 times.

Quoting srbmod (Reply 2):
as I've heard this sort of thing has happened on multiple occasions,

Yes, yes it has. The latches are now bright orange to make sure that MX, G/O and flight deck crews all have the chance to see them if in the open position before departure (for my airline at least).

From the following Transportation Safety Board of Canada report on an incident:

http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-re...viation/2000/a00o0199/a00o0199.asp

...there is a pic of these bright orange latches:

Any little help in identifying an open latch helps reduce the chances of an aircraft departing with an unsecured cowl.

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