And Yet ANOTHER Weird Boeing Incident - Engine-Cover Falls Off

[68hx.1805]

https://www.newsnationnow.com/travel/boeing-plane-part-falls-off-strikes-wing-flap-during-takeoff-in-denver-faa/

Boeing plane part falls off, strikes wing flap during takeoff
in Denver: FAA

DENVER (KDVR) — A Southwest Airlines flight safely returned
to Denver International Airport early Sunday after a removable
piece of metal that covers the engine fell off and struck a
wing flap, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Boeing 737-800 plane was departing for William P. Hobby
Airport in Houston at around 8:15 a.m. local time when the
engine cowling fell off. Video posted to social media shows
the metal segment flapping against the wing while it was
still on the tarmac.

The Southwest flight was towed to the gate after landing.

. . .

MAYBE not Boeing's fault - but it'll LOOK that way.

I'm gonna suggest a Boeing-LIKE PROCEDURAL/SAFTETY
fault, but AT the last maint locale. Boeing does
NOT make the engines - but various places WORK on
them. Sounds like nobody bothered to Be Sure all
the little Zeus-nuts were tightened-down properly
on that engine cover.

It DID do damage ... and we have to WONDER what the
effect would have been if it happened later into the
flight at high altitude and speed ... maybe between
here and Europe or Hawaii ...........

NOT encouraging !!!

Sell Boeing - it's a cluster-fuck and "DEI" is
just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I think
it's OVER after nearly 100 years - gone all
'corporate' and NO 'engineering'. No more faith.

Invest in Airbus ... and there are a few other
start-ups/competitors too. Air transport/travel
WILL still be a Big Thing for maybe the next 50
years regardless - you have to try and pick
who will be the SUCCESSFUL providers.

BEYOND 50 years ... who the fuck knows ?
I'll bet people DON'T travel much because
extremist govs WANT people to be veritable
prisoners and cargo will mostly go by
"drone"/AI craft.

[rbowman]

Post by 68hx.1805
Sure all
the little Zeus-nuts were tightened-down properly on that engine
cover.

Dzus :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzus_fastener

A company I worked for used a lot of them and I've heard them called a lot
of things including douche fasteners.

[68hx.1805]

Post by rbowman

Post by 68hx.1805
Sure all
the little Zeus-nuts were tightened-down properly on that engine
cover.

Dzus :)

But universally pronounced "Zeus" :-)

Post by rbowman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzus_fastener
A company I worked for used a lot of them and I've heard them called a lot
of things including douche fasteners.

IF properly installed AND fastened they're pretty
damned good, you see them on every kind of aircraft
from yer crop-dusters to big passenger jets. They
are FAST - and time is money. Can you imagine how
long it'd take to do a 757 engine cover if it were
held down by 50 little threaded screws ? How many
of those would cross-thread/strip EVERY time ?

Now Boeing's latest models ... would not be surprised
to hear "Velcro" ... :-)

[rbowman]

IF properly installed AND fastened they're pretty damned good, you
see them on every kind of aircraft from yer crop-dusters to big
passenger jets. They are FAST - and time is money. Can you imagine
how long it'd take to do a 757 engine cover if it were held down by
50 little threaded screws ? How many of those would
cross-thread/strip EVERY time ?

They also give you a little leeway. Most of the panels were Dzus but some
were 10-32 screws going into Rivnuts where Dzus weren't feasible. I
carried a tap handle and a supply of 10-32 taps in my toolbox for the
cases where the holes *almost* lined up.

[68hx.1805]

Post by rbowman

IF properly installed AND fastened they're pretty damned good, you
see them on every kind of aircraft from yer crop-dusters to big
passenger jets. They are FAST - and time is money. Can you imagine
how long it'd take to do a 757 engine cover if it were held down by
50 little threaded screws ? How many of those would
cross-thread/strip EVERY time ?

They also give you a little leeway. Most of the panels were Dzus but some
were 10-32 screws going into Rivnuts where Dzus weren't feasible. I
carried a tap handle and a supply of 10-32 taps in my toolbox for the
cases where the holes *almost* lined up.

Heh heh ... yea, that's it ... "ALMOST" lining-up :-)

And with big sheet-metal parts, whether it's a HOT day
or a COLD day can make "almost" into NOT.

Dzus are probably the "best compromise" for most
aircraft needs - but mechanics HAVE to remember
to TIGHTEN them down properly. Depending, that
might not be so clear from a quick visual
inspection - you kinda have to POKE at them
and see if they rattle.

I did work for a time with an outfit that used
aircraft ... and the pilots would often just
run their hand down a critical line or two of
Dzus nuts before getting in ... just to be SURE.