Boeing 747-438, VH-OJJ
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On 24 April 2001, a Boeing 747-400,
VH-OJJ, experienced the loss of both left and right combustion
fairing panels from the number three engine during take-off on a
flight from Sydney to Los Angeles.
The fairing panels were ejected forcefully from the bypass duct
of the engine, causing minor localised damage to the duct internal
surfaces and the trailing edge of the centre wing flap section.
Examination by the Technical Analysis unit showed the damage to
be consistent with fairing mis-installation, whereby the hooks on
the right panel were not engaged with the respective socket pins of
the upper fairing. This then permitted the free movement of the
fairing sections to a point where they were caught by the bypass
airflow and forcefully ejected.
The examination did not identify any defects in manufacture or
maintenance of the fairing mounts or latches that could have
contributed to the release.
Neville R. Blyth
Senior Transport Safety Investigator
Technical Analysis