Hole appears in passenger jet at 36,000 feet

[lost*in*cyberspace]

From the article cited below: However, "small, subsurface cracks" or indications of cracks were detected in three other aircraft.

That is really scary.

 

[mickey2000]

From MSNBC

"The NTSB could issue urgent recommendations for inspections on other 737s if investigators decide there is a problem that has been overlooked. The type of riveted joint involved is not normally subjected to extensive checks for wear or fatigue.

Federal records show cracks were found and repaired a year ago in the frame of the same Southwest plane.

An Associated Press review of Federal Aviation Administration records of maintenance problems for the 15-year-old plane showed that a March 2010 inspection found 10 instances of cracking in the aircraft frame, which is part of the fuselage, and another 11 instances of cracked stringer clips, which help hold the plane's skin on.

The records show the cracking was either repaired or the damaged parts replaced. Cracking accounted for a majority of the 28 problem reports filed as a result of that inspection.

It's common for fuselage cracks to be found during inspections of aging planes, especially during scheduled heavy-maintenance checks in which planes are taken apart so that inspectors can see into areas not normally visible."



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42402550/ns/travel-news/

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

From the article cited below: However, "small, subsurface cracks" or indications of cracks were detected in three other aircraft.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/04/03/arizona.flight.diverted/index.html?hpt=T2

This really seems to be a problem at Southwest. They tend to operate shorter flights than legacy airlines which causes greater stress on the fuselage per hour of flight time due to more frequent compression / decompression.

If Southwest wants to run a schedule like they do they need to make sure they are taking more care in inspecting their planes. Thus far they have proven they are not since they were given a record fine by the FAA for not properly inspecting the fuselage followed by a cracked fuselage incident 1 year later and then this incident 20 months later.

I refuse to fly Southwest for numerous reasons but this is a really serious situation which Southwest is not addressing.

Oh please - you are welcome to fly or not fly whatever airline you like but you really appear to be stretching things!

The plane in question was up to date on all FAA mandated and Boeing recommended structural inspection requirements. Your implying that SW is not addressing the issue is wrong.

By the way - American is now the owner of the "record fine" title that you like to through around - $24.2 million.

 

[uva185]

By the way - American is now the owner of the "record fine" title that you like to through around - $24.2 million.

Thank you for pointing that out. I was not aware and stand corrected.

 

[SaraJayne]

This is not only a Southwest issue...it's any airline that flies 737's...which I would guess are flown by every airline around the world.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

This is not only a Southwest issue...it's any airline that flies 737's...which I would guess are flown by every airline around the world.

Good point. Let's wait for the NTSB conclusion about the rivet and sheet metal problem on that airplane.

 

[PlutoPony]

This is not only a Southwest issue...it's any airline that flies 737's...which I would guess are flown by every airline around the world.

True but SW planes are up and down more than other carriers due to their business model. Less time on the ground, short turn arounds, then back up in the air. Not a bad way to run a business but cycling (the take off/landings) is noted as one of the contributing factors to this kind of metal stress and aircraft failure. So SW's planes may be more prone to this type problem than other airlines. That's why many FF'ers are concerned that SW appears to be lax in their inspection for the problem, even after they were nailed for this very thing a couple years ago.

 

[SaraJayne]

True but SW planes are up and down more than other carriers due to their business model. Less time on the ground, short turn arounds, then back up in the air. Not a bad way to run a business but cycling (the take off/landings) is noted as one of the contributing factors to this kind of metal stress and aircraft failure. So SW's planes may be more prone to this type problem than other airlines. That's why many FF'ers are concerned that SW appears to be lax in their inspection for the problem, even after they were nailed for this very thing a couple years ago.

When you fly out of regional airports (like we usually do) you realize that there are many carriers that have many short flights and ups and downs, not just Southwest.

 

[sharona]

Is there a way to check the type of plane you'll be flying? I'm flying Jet Blue in a month and was just looking to see what aircraft are being used and don't see anything.... Where would I find that info?

TIA

 

[mickey2000]

Is there a way to check the type of plane you'll be flying? I'm flying Jet Blue in a month and was just looking to see what aircraft are being used and don't see anything.... Where would I find that info?

TIA

Sometimes the seating chart indicates which type of plane ...

 

[RainbowsMist]

Is there a way to check the type of plane you'll be flying? I'm flying Jet Blue in a month and was just looking to see what aircraft are being used and don't see anything.... Where would I find that info?

TIA

Is it on your online itinerary or JB's website? We flew Airtran a couple of weeks ago and I just went back to my account and they also have it posted on their website which aircrafts they fly. Sure enough it was a 737. I wonder if they will check all 737's? I know I would feel better if they did.

Just checked JB's website (curiousity was getting the better of me) and they fly A320's and Embraer 190's.

 

[dschribs]

I'm flying to Orlando this coming Sat on Southwest and couldn't be happier.

An episode like this puts Southwest's airline safety in the forefront and rest assured the FAA and SW safety officials will be checking every SW plane like never before. Gives me more of a comfort level; not less.

 

[OhMari]

Has anyone heard how SW is notifying customers about flight cancellations?

I was suppose to fly home Sunday, April 3, at 9:30 a.m.
Got a phone message on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. that my flight was "cancelled".
I was suppose to call their airline to rebook. Waiting time 125 minute wait time.
I brought along my IPad and had my sister go to conciere to start looking to rebook. I got my IPad running and walked over to conciere. There were so many filters on the conciere's computer, she could barely do anything.

Anyways, our message from Southwest was that we were allowed to rebook to anyflight within 14 days, without paying for anything that would cost more. That was fine, but we couldn't get a flight out of MCO till Wednesday at the earliest. That would of meant 4 more days of food, finding a hotel or sleeping at the airport.

I called home and had my dd and dh look for flights and everything was running over $400. I went with AirTran for $440. They would only let me do one ticket at a time, and I needed to do 3. After I did my sisters, who needed to be for work, I started on mine, and just like that AirTran opened 4 tickets for $196. I quickly purchased them. We cancelled the $400 one with out a fee-how that happened who knows.

When we flew into Milwaukee, we went and talked to Southwest's Supervisor and he gave us a voucher to get our money back from Southwest, otherwise we all have a voucher now to use by Oct. 16th. It is the day I booked our tickets with Southwest. My sisters want their money, they have no need to fly anywhere within six months.

I'm glad Southwest took the initiative and looked at the planes. I probably would of been a nervous wreck flying home with them.

 

[DebbieB]

That's a big downside to SW, they do not sign tickets over to other airlines. One time I was scheduled to fly USAirways MSP-PHL-PIT and the MSP-PHL flight was running late. I asked if they could do anything, they put me on a non-stop MSP-PIT on Northwest at no add'l charge.

 

[PlutoPony]

That's a big downside to SW, they do not sign tickets over to other airlines. One time I was scheduled to fly USAirways MSP-PHL-PIT and the MSP-PHL flight was running late. I asked if they could do anything, they put me on a non-stop MSP-PIT on Northwest at no add'l charge.

Yep. And given that they're in the process of buying AirTran, I'm really surprised they didn't make some accommodation with AT to get SW passengers into their empty seats. Strange .....

UAL and Conti have offered their available seats to SW passengers for $150 one way I think, to help those who are stranded. Smart move imo

 

[sharona]

Is it on your online itinerary or JB's website? We flew Airtran a couple of weeks ago and I just went back to my account and they also have it posted on their website which aircrafts they fly. Sure enough it was a 737. I wonder if they will check all 737's? I know I would feel better if they did.

Just checked JB's website (curiousity was getting the better of me) and they fly A320's and Embraer 190's.

Thank you! I could not find the info related directly to my JB flights and just wanted to see if I needed to add this to my list of things to worry about!

 

[seashoreCM]

... we couldn't get a flight out of MCO till Wednesday at the earliest. That would of meant 4 more days of food, finding a hotel or sleeping at the airport.

Or Magical Express back to WDW for 4 more days of fun.

Cash refunds are in order for those who ask, especially if the airline is unwilling to get the person to his destination for so long.