Aviation Metal Fatigue

Justin Carrafiello

Chalk’s Ocean Airways Flight 101

On December 19, 2005, Chalk's Ocean Airways Flight 101 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States to Bimini, Bahamas, with an unscheduled stop at Watson Island, Miami, Florida, crashed off Miami Beach, Florida.

Witnesses saw white smoke billowing from the plane, before the right wing ripped off and the plane plunged into the ocean. Twenty people — 18 passengers and two crew members — were on board. There were no survivors. On December 22, 2005 the NTSB issued a press release which included pictures showing metal fatigue on the wing that broke off. On May 30, 2007, Reuters reported that "The National Transportation Safety Board asserted Chalk Ocean Airways failed to identify and properly repair fatigue cracks on the 1947 Grumman Turbo Mallard. The plane lost its right wing a few minutes after take-off for the Bahamas at 500 ft (152 m) and plunged into the shipping channel adjacent to the Port of Miami on December 19, 2005." The safety board, in its final report on the probable cause of the crash, noted numerous maintenance-related problems on the plane and another company aircraft, raising questions about Chalk Ocean's aircraft maintenance practices. "The signs of structural problems were there but not addressed," safety board chairman Mark Rosenker said. The safety board also said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) failed to detect and correct the airline's maintenance shortfalls. Regulations exempt older seaplanes from rigorous structural oversight. Chalk Ocean had no comment on the safety board's findings. The FAA said it had no indication Chalk Ocean's maintenance program was in question. The Show that this event was featured on is available athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SvAZsnijrc

Japan Airlines Flight 123

JAL 123 took off from Runway 16L at Tokyo International Airport in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, at 6:12 p.m., 12 minutes behind schedule. About 12 minutes after takeoff, at near cruising altitude over Sagami Bay, the aircraft's rear pressurized bulkhead tore open. The resulting explosive decompression ripped the tailfin from the aircraft, severing all four hydraulic systems. Descending to 13,500 feet (4100 m), the pilots reported an uncontrollable aircraft. Heading over the Izu Peninsula the pilots turned towards the Pacific Ocean, then back towards the shore; they descended below 7,000 feet (2100 m) before returning to a climb. The aircraft reached 13,000 feet (4000 m) before entering an uncontrollable descent into the mountains and disappearing from radar at 6:56 p.m. at 6,800 feet (2100 m). During the final moments, the plane clipped a mountain ridge. During a subsequent rapid plunge, the plane crashed into a second ridge, then flipped and landed on its back.The Show that this event was featured on is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACVBbsNVWx8

Aloha Airlines Flight 243

Aloha Airlines Flight 243 (AQ 243, AAH 243) was a scheduled Aloha Airlines flight between Hilo and Honolulu in Hawaii. On April 28, 1988, a Boeing 737-297 serving the flight suffered extensive damage after an explosive decompression in flight, but was able to land safely at Kahului Airport on Maui. The only fatality was flight attendant Clarabelle "C.B." Lansing, who was blown out of the airplane. Another 65 passengers and crew were injured.The safe landing of the aircraft despite the substantial damage inflicted by the decompression established Aloha Airlines Flight 243 as a significant event in the history of aviation, with far-reaching effects on aviation safety policies and procedures.

The Show that this event was featured on is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sY5g22z8lA

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