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Offline Angry Turnip

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Possible damage
« on: January 22, 2009, 11:19:31 PM »
Took a few shots on Saturday morning at BFS, and noticed in this shot of Lauda Air OE-LNK that there appears to be some damage(a dent) on the underside of the PAX side horizontal stabilizer.

I contacted the airline but they said they had checked the aircraft concerned and all was fine-what do you think?





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« Last Edit: January 22, 2009, 11:20:02 PM by Angry Turnip »
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Offline Dave

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Re: Possible damage
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2009, 01:14:51 AM »
I can only offer an opinion as a student aeronautical engineer, thus I could be completely wrong...

Whilst it does look like a fairly significant dent, the chances of it actually being serious are quite slim as I believe the skin surface of a wing/stabiliser is quite thin (hence various other ripples through out the aircraft surface due to constant changes in pressure during flight) and not load bearing, such as the struts and beams inside the wing. So whilst that some sort of eventual repair might be needed if it is a dent within the surface, it may not occur until the aircraft is next due in for maintence.

On a side note, great picture. I have noticed that Lauda Air fly in to BFS on Saturdays so I have been pondering on weather or not a trip to BFS would be worth while to capture the airline.
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Offline casper

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Re: Possible damage
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2009, 10:31:52 AM »
Well there's definitely a dent but when they say 'all is fine' it's quite possible that what they mean is 'yes the dents there but it's well with in safety regulations'
Nice capture btw the certainly well done for spotting it - I wouldn't have seen it if you hadn't pointed it out.
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Offline Angry Turnip

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Re: Possible damage
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2009, 01:44:46 PM »
I was pretty shocked when I saw it-I have seen that ripple effect a few times with 737-800`s but there is definitely a fairly large dent there.

If you compare the dent to the size of the aircraft`s windows for example-it does look approx 30-40cm long.
I am no expert on aeronautics, but I would have thought that is significant damage-I would think the horizontal stabiliser would have a fairly high loading on it-especially at takeoff.

Well as I said I notified the airline and they seemed happy with it,so not much else I can do.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2009, 05:32:03 PM by Angry Turnip »
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Offline casper

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Re: Possible damage
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2009, 02:02:13 PM »
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Offline Dave

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Re: Possible damage
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2009, 03:20:54 PM »
I can see the same dent in the first photo you linked Casper :)

Unless the skin is pierced, it should be fine. I don't think fuel is stored in the stabilisers unlike other aircraft thus they are hallow inside, with the exception of structural beams and stringers. As long as those are undamaged, its not severe damage. :)

However now thinking about it, the pressure effect that causes the rippling effect on aircraft skin may aggravate the larger dent, so getting it repaired, sooner rather than later would probably be preferable to them.
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Offline Angry Turnip

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Re: Possible damage
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2009, 08:37:53 PM »
I would hope they get this sorted ASAP-I am pretty sure the horizontal stabilizers are under tremendous strain especially takeoff and landing.
Don`t forget the elevators are at the trailing edge of them.

If I was still working at the airport I would have definitely reported this to the crew-although it may not appear too bad,we have no idea what damage has been caused to panels nearby.

When I contacted the airline they had no facility for me to send them the picture-so I think I will contact Aviance,the ground handlers for this aircraft at Aldergrove as I think this needs urgent attention.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2009, 08:38:56 PM by Angry Turnip »
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Offline Dave

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Re: Possible damage
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2009, 10:42:46 PM »
Wise idea, make sure you send the picture also. Another option that might be worth while; possibly email Lauda with a link to the picture or is that what you ment that they had no way of getting the picture info?
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