BOEING MD-11 near Singapore — 2008-04-27
Final reportENG08IA025
- Date
- 2008-04-27
- Location
- Singapore, SG
- Airport
- SIN
- Aircraft
- BOEING MD-11
- Registration
- N595FE
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- None
- Fatalities
- 0
- Phase of flight
- Preflight
Probable cause
The Center Landing gear (CLG) strut failed due to intergranular (IG) cracking resulted from a contamination of the surface from the chemical used to clean that area prior to painting.
NTSB narrative
During a pre-flight walk around of a MD-11, a oil leak was found underneath the Center Landing gear (CLG) Strut. Examination of the CLG Cylinder confirmed that there a longitudinal crack along the aft side of the cylinder. Metallurgical examine revealed that the failure of the cylinder was due to intergranular cracking caused by contamination of the surface from the chemical used to clean that area prior to painting.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- Mechanical failure
- First missed decision gate
- Inspection could have identified the crack before the aircraft was prepared for flight.
NTSB coding
- Aircraft structural failure · Standing
- Maintenance
Evidence available
- 1 docket document