Dallas -
NTSB has found no signs of corrosion or metal-fatigued around the hole that formed on the top side of a Southwest Airlines jet Monday. The hole appeared while the jet was flying from Nashville to Washington forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.
The section surrounding the hole was cut out and now being inspected at NTSB's lab in Washington. Using a magnifying glass the metal had no obvious cracks according to one source. Experts will now use a microscope for closer examination. "The breaking of the metal leaves a fingerprint," said metallurgical expert Dr. Craig Jerner of Dallas. Jerner said the metal, "will tell the metallurgist what was the failure mode."
One possibility is the jets aluminum skin could have been scratched or scored during manufacturing or maintenance. NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said overtime that could have caused a small crack not seen with the naked eye. Maintenance records are also being reviewed although Knudson said those findings would not be released immediately. Records show the Southwest jet had a total of 8 cracks that had to be repaired over its 15 years of service. Longtime commercial pilot J.D. Daniels said that's not uncommon. He told the 33 News that the wear and tear of take offs and landings can stress a plane over time. Those cracks can be repaired with a patch which Daniels makes the plane as good as new.
Southwest's said it will wait until the investigation is complete before releasing any further statements.
The section surrounding the hole was cut out and now being inspected at NTSB's lab in Washington. Using a magnifying glass the metal had no obvious cracks according to one source. Experts will now use a microscope for closer examination. "The breaking of the metal leaves a fingerprint," said metallurgical expert Dr. Craig Jerner of Dallas. Jerner said the metal, "will tell the metallurgist what was the failure mode."
One possibility is the jets aluminum skin could have been scratched or scored during manufacturing or maintenance. NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said overtime that could have caused a small crack not seen with the naked eye. Maintenance records are also being reviewed although Knudson said those findings would not be released immediately. Records show the Southwest jet had a total of 8 cracks that had to be repaired over its 15 years of service. Longtime commercial pilot J.D. Daniels said that's not uncommon. He told the 33 News that the wear and tear of take offs and landings can stress a plane over time. Those cracks can be repaired with a patch which Daniels makes the plane as good as new.
Southwest's said it will wait until the investigation is complete before releasing any further statements.
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