Airframe (44 page)

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Authors: Michael Crichton

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AIRCRAFT INCIDENT REPORT

PRIVILEGED INFORMATION—FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

R
EPORT
N
O
:
IRT-96-42
T
ODAY’S
D
ATE
: 18 April
M
ODEL
:
N-22
I
NCIDENT
D
ATE
: 08 April
O
PERATOR
:
TransPacific
F
USELAGE
N
O
: 271
R
EPORTED BY
:
R. Rakoski,
FSR HK
L
OCATION
: Pacific Oc
R
EFERENCE
:
a) AVN-SVC-08764/AAC
S
UBJECT
:
Severe Pitch Oscillations in Flight

 

D
ESCRIPTION OF
E
VENT
:

 

Reportedly during cruise flight a “Slats Disagree” warning appeared on the flight deck, and a member of the flight crew extended the slats in an attempt to clear the warning. Subsequently the aircraft experienced severe pitch oscillations and lost 6,000 feet altitude before control was returned to the autopilot. Four persons died, and fifty-six were injured.

 

A
CTION
T
AKEN
:

 

Inspection of the aircraft revealed the following damage:

1. The interior cabin sustained substantial damage.

2. The Number 2 IB slats proximity sensor was faulty.

3. The Number 2 slats locking pin was found to be non-PMA.

4. The Number 1 engine thruster panel was found to be non-PMA.

5. Several other non-PMA parts were identified for replacement.

Review of human factors revealed the following:

1. Flight deck procedures require added carrier scrutiny.

2. Foreign repair procedures require added carrier scrutiny.

The aircraft is in the process of being repaired. Internal procedures are being reviewed by the carrier.

      David Levine

      Technical Integration

      Product Support

      Norton Aircraft Company

      Burbank, CA

For Sonny Mehta

Books by Michael Crichton

The Andromeda Strain

The Terminal Man

The Great Train Robbery

Eaters of the Dead

Congo

Sphere

Travels

Jurassic Park

Rising Sun

The Lost World

Disclosure

Airframe

Timeline

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Crichton
’s novels include
The Andromeda Strain, The Great Train Robbery, Congo, Jurassic Park, Rising Sun, Disclosure,
and
The Lost World
. He was also the creator of the television series
ER
. Crichton died in 2008.

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