Investigation number
198903916
Occurrence date
Location
Brisbane
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Airframe - Other
Occurrence class
Incident
Highest injury level
None

The crew reported hearing/feeling a thump during flap retraction after takeoff. As all cockpit indications were normal the noise was interpreted as a bird strike and the flight proceeded uneventfully. A post flight inspection revealed damage to the the right hand inboard leading edge device (including a section of flap missing) and impact damage to the leading edge of the right horizontal stabilizer. The aircraft's last major servicing was conducted overseas by an overseas organization on 13 December 1988. The servicing was inspected by company engineers. Some time later a loss of drive to a section of leading edge flaps occurred. The drive unit output shaft had disconnected at the drive coupling there was no evidence of three coupling retaining screws having been fitted. This fault was rectified and the aircraft was later inspected by a different overseas organization at a different location. In the message requesting the inspection the company had asked for all leading edge flaps to be inspected assuming that all leading edge devices would be checked. However the devices between the fuselage and the inboard engines are known as "krueger flaps" and were not inspected by the overseas organization. Analysis of the damage to the starboard krueger flaps indicated that the following sequence occurred. During taxi for departure when the flaps were extended to setting one all leading edge devices extended automatically. At this time the torque tube between the hinges on the inboard krueger flap panel became disconnected at its outboard end. This disconnection allowed the inboard hinge of this panel to travel over-centre during takeoff. This hinge then remained fully extended for the duration of the flight. On flap retraction after takeoff the outer two krueger flap panels retracted normally together with the outboard hinge of the inboard panel. At some time during this retraction the inboard panel may have cracked and drive was lost in the area of the torque tube between the gearbox and the inboard end of the centre krueger flap panel. This torque tube showed no obvious damage and is believed to have become disconnected at one end. The movement of the inboard panel resulted in a section breaking off and striking the starboard horizontal stabiliser.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
The Boeing Company
Model
747
Registration
VH-EBP
Serial number
21658
Operation type
Air Transport High Capacity
Departure point
Brisbane QLD
Departure time
800
Destination
Cairns QLD
Damage
Minor