E175 Winglet Falls Off In Turbulance
05-04-2022 | 09:31 AM
#1
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Banned
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05-04-2022 | 12:55 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2005
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Envoy E170 loses winglet in CAT
A few other photos can be found online, but looks like a good shear took the winglet right off the wing.
I know it is not structural, but I probably would have needed to change my pants.
https://viewfromthewing.com/american...at-36000-feet/
I know it is not structural, but I probably would have needed to change my pants.
https://viewfromthewing.com/american...at-36000-feet/
05-04-2022 | 02:22 PM
#4
Disinterested Third Party
Joined: Jun 2012
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Other than to maintain the lighting in the winglet, there is little maintenance to perform, but the only suggestion as to the loss occurs in a FAA statement that it failed in moderate to severe turbulence. No further information is given, meaning anything further is unfounded speculation.
05-04-2022 | 05:47 PM
#6
In a land of unicorns
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Whale FO
Other than to maintain the lighting in the winglet, there is little maintenance to perform, but the only suggestion as to the loss occurs in a FAA statement that it failed in moderate to severe turbulence. No further information is given, meaning anything further is unfounded speculation.
There is a service bulletin about inspecting the enhanced winglet attach structure, and a modification that should be done at a heavy check. It was not done on this particular plane.
I bet the bulletin will be an AD very soon.
05-04-2022 | 06:57 PM
#7
Disinterested Third Party
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If you make the assumption that any damage is from the turbulence, and not the result of a weak or previously damaged structure, missing parts or fasteners, or some other reason, such as a bird strike. Without information, that assumption would be baseless speculation.
05-04-2022 | 07:12 PM
#8
On Reserve
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Another thing to note is the winglets on the originally purchased 175’s were the enhanced winglets which over time were shown to degrade (show cracking and loss of structural integrity, however was never a safety of flight issue being winglets only served as a way to help fuel economy and if detached they didn’t effect safety of flight) At every heavy maintenance cycle they were to be replaced, or if they showed degradation prior to a heavy maintenance cycle they’d be replaced right then. It’s likely these weren’t replaced yet.
05-05-2022 | 04:47 AM
#9
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 875
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The winglets are designed to break off without damaging the wing so that the airplane isn't seriously damaged when there are minor incidents on the ground. In most cases, you can remove the other winglet and, after an inspection, the airplane is flying again. Shouldn't come off from turbulence, of course.
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