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Parallel Universe:Composite Troubles in Aircraft

Photos, illustration of AA587 rudder
assembled from recovered pieces

As the rudder fallen from Air Transat flight 961 is not found, these photos and illustrations will give us some idea what it may look like.

AA587 rudder assembled from recovered  broken pieces

Recovered rudder. They were broken up in pieces. (NTSB Docket No SA-522 Exhibit No. 15-A)

Illustration of the rudder showing nature of damages.

AA587 Rudder - Illustration showing nature of damages

The photo in the first page bottom corresponds to the piece named "BRHS" in the illustration.(NTSB Docket No SA-522 Exhibit No. 15-A)

On May 3, 2002 update, Marion C. Blakey, chairman, NTSB Board NASA Langley Research Center reported:

In the examination bay, you will see the vertical stabilizer basically intact, with the coupons and some of the lugs removed. You will see a section of the empennage to which the stabilizer was attached. And you will see the rudder, broken in several pieces. I believe we are making good progress in determining the sequence of the break-up and separation of the rudder, al thought we won't have conclusive results for some time.

We have not seen the following report. NTSB final report says that the rudder was intact when vertical stabilizer snapped.

Back to Article Parallel Universe:Composite Troubles in Aircraft

Posted April 12, 2005

Related Reading:
National Transportation Safety Board
Recommendation March 24, 2006 (PDF file at NTSB web site - Will open new window.)

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David Pascoe Power Boat Books

Buyers' Guide to Outboard Boats Surveying Fiberglass Power Boats (2E)
David Pascoe Power Boat Books Visit davidpascoe.com for his power boat books

David Pascoe - Biography

David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor in his family who began his surveying career at age 16 as an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats was drawing to a close.

Certified by the National Association of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted hundreds of boating accident investigations, including fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure analysis.

Over forty years of knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books. David Pascoe is the author of:

In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from nearly 80 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001.

In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65.

On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71.

Biography - Long version



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