Narrative:
Approximately 16 ft of the left inboard trailing edge flap separated while the aircraft was on final approach to land at Boston-Logan Airport. The approach and landing were completed without further incident. Investigation revealed 5 of the 8 bolts which hold the no. 3 flap track forward attach fitting to the wing showed signs of fatigue and the 3 remaining bolts showed overload type failures. No inspection requirements for the forward attachment bolts were required by Boeing at the time of the accident.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
flight control,flap attachment..fatigue
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
flight control,flap attachment..failure,partial
acft/equip,inadequate airframe..manufacturer
insufficient standards/requirements,manufacturer..manufacturer
maintenance..inadequate..manufacturer
maintenance,inspection..inadequate..manufacturer
Normal landing
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Sunday 15 December 1985 |
| Time: | 14:50 |
| Type: |  Boeing 747-136 |
| Operator: | British Airways |
| Registration: | G-AWNE |
| MSN: | 19765/109 |
| First flight: | 1971 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 55667 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 17 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 252 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 269 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Boston-Logan International Airport, MA (BOS) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL), United Kingdom |
| Boston-Logan International Airport, MA (BOS/KBOS), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | BA215 |
Approximately 16 ft of the left inboard trailing edge flap separated while the aircraft was on final approach to land at Boston-Logan Airport. The approach and landing were completed without further incident. Investigation revealed 5 of the 8 bolts which hold the no. 3 flap track forward attach fitting to the wing showed signs of fatigue and the 3 remaining bolts showed overload type failures. No inspection requirements for the forward attachment bolts were required by Boeing at the time of the accident.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
flight control,flap attachment..fatigue
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
flight control,flap attachment..failure,partial
acft/equip,inadequate airframe..manufacturer
insufficient standards/requirements,manufacturer..manufacturer
maintenance..inadequate..manufacturer
maintenance,inspection..inadequate..manufacturer
Accident investigation:
|
Classification:
Issue with flap(s)Normal landing
Sources:
» NTSBFollow-up / safety actions
NTSB issued 3 Safety Recommendations
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Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from London-Heathrow Airport to Boston-Logan International Airport, MA as the crow flies is 5201 km (3251 miles).
Distance from London-Heathrow Airport to Boston-Logan International Airport, MA as the crow flies is 5201 km (3251 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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