SAS MD82 at Copenhagen on Feb 5th 2012, rejected takeoff and evacuation

Last Update: January 18, 2013 / 21:55:13 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Feb 5, 2012

Classification
Incident

ICAO Type Designator
MD82

The Danish HCL have released their final report concluding the probable cause of the serious incident was:

Fatigue cracking initiated at the sharp edges at the run-out area of the FAD support lugs. The FAD support lugs fractured and the Nose Dome liberated from the front of the engine leading to this serious incident.

A contributing factor to the cracking was probably insufficient blending of the sharp edges according to accomplishment instructions in SB 5680.

The HCL reported the engine had accumulated 41,695 hours in 33,590 flight cycles since new and 2510 flight hours in 1973 flight cycles since last overhaul and inspection. The front accessory drive (FAD) was part of the engine when delivered by the company performing the last overhaul. The nuts, that held the remains of the lugs, were removed from the engine, neither one had been over- or undertorqued.

Following a number of nose dome liberations the engine manufacturer had amended the aircraft maintenance manual in 1995 warning that the front access drive assembly should not be pulled into position with the bolts or damage to parts may result. In 2001 the engine manufacturer came to the conclusion the nose dome liberations may be the result of overtorque, mishandling of tools or incorrect installation of the attach nut and released recommendations to minimize the possibility of accessory support lug fractures. The engine manufacturer also introduced a new version of the FADs featuring lugs with blended edges and increased thickness, the installation of these new FADs was recommended to all operators.

The investigation found no rubbing or wear on the FAD and no sign of incorrect use of tools.

Laboratory examination revealed "all the fatigue cracks initiated at the sharp edge in the transition from the lug surface to the FAD cover". No material defects or deficiencies contributed to the fracture initiation or propagation. The HCL thus concluded that the overhaul performed by the maintenance organisation was not a contributing factor to the serious incident.

The HCL analysed: "It is the opinion of the AIB DK (HCL) that installation of these versions with blended edges and increased thickness lugs could prevent FAD support lug cracking and therefore Nose Dome liberations. The AIB DK would like to point out the importance of following recommendations issued by the engine manufacturer."

No safety recommendations were released as result of the investigation, one safety action was taken by the airline.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Feb 5, 2012

Classification
Incident

ICAO Type Designator
MD82

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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