Ouch! That has got to hurt!
May 9, 2011 | 2:09 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PDX
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Am I the only one wondering whether if this can happen on the tarmac, could it happen on a runway too? Is construction and reinforcement of taxiways not as stringent as that of runways? I can only imagine this happening as the aircraft is starting to pick up speed for takeoff...... 
May 9, 2011 | 5:04 am
#17
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Am I the only one wondering whether if this can happen on the tarmac, could it happen on a runway too? Is construction and reinforcement of taxiways not as stringent as that of runways? I can only imagine this happening as the aircraft is starting to pick up speed for takeoff......
Here are more photos
May 9, 2011 | 6:50 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: 40 miles SE of EWR
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Wow! How did the top of the winglet snap off???
Those pictures are amazing, and show everything except one thing that I'm dying to know: the AC #!
Those pictures are amazing, and show everything except one thing that I'm dying to know: the AC #!
May 9, 2011 | 8:59 am
#19
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DAL
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Ship 221 N12221 was on taxi out for ferry GLH-IAH
Freshly painted.
Taxing out for ferry flight repositioning for revenue flight.
Captain and First Officer were only people on the aircraft
10 ft. wide X 7 ft. deep sinkhole under taxiway.
Impact broke lt main gear, both c-ducts on lt engine damaged.
Winglet broke from impact.
Lt inbd flap damaged.
Rear spar nicked.
NTSB has released aircraft back to Continental.
May 9, 2011 | 9:09 am
#20
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Ouch.... That winglet failure is a little troubling if it was truly due to "impact". However I shouldnt jump to conclusions without data.
May 9, 2011 | 12:31 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,034
The runway is considerably thicker than the taxiway. At least double.
Just an educated guess (experience in pouring concrete). The taxiway looks to be 6", the runway is 12"+ with larger, and more, re-bar. Probably more like 18". Remember, you've got to allow for a million pounds to slam down on it with incredibly high point-loads.
That being said, if a large enough sink hole were to form under a runway, it could fail. However, a sinkhole would be less likely to form since, due to the thickness and fewer joints, water infiltration would be a lot less than on a taxiway.
I'd say, due the fact that this is the first one (ever?), there's nothing to worry about.
Just an educated guess (experience in pouring concrete). The taxiway looks to be 6", the runway is 12"+ with larger, and more, re-bar. Probably more like 18". Remember, you've got to allow for a million pounds to slam down on it with incredibly high point-loads.
That being said, if a large enough sink hole were to form under a runway, it could fail. However, a sinkhole would be less likely to form since, due to the thickness and fewer joints, water infiltration would be a lot less than on a taxiway.
I'd say, due the fact that this is the first one (ever?), there's nothing to worry about.
May 9, 2011 | 12:37 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,034
Take the main gear for example. It can handle landing at 150 mph with a full load and crosswinds then bringing thousands of tons to a stop---a LOT of stress---over and over with no problem, but you putt along into a sinkhole going 10 mph, SNAP...
Jun 5, 2011 | 6:20 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: 40 miles SE of EWR
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According to flightaware, this ship hasn't left GLH yet...must be doing the repairs there? I would have thought they'd do the bare minimum to get it airworthy and ferry it to MCO, HOU, or IAH to do the bulk of the work.
Jun 5, 2011 | 9:12 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
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Jun 6, 2011 | 7:58 am
#25
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Also remember that a winglet is not component to keep the 737 aloft, it's there to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency.
Jun 6, 2011 | 10:15 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MSP
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Posts: 63
that'll buff right out
Jun 6, 2011 | 4:29 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Jun 6, 2011 | 7:27 pm
#28
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wow I missed this, if that only cost $275,000 to fix I'd be surprised, especially how long it has been out.
I'd imagine the insurance company is paying significantly more + out of service losses.
I'd imagine the insurance company is paying significantly more + out of service losses.
Jul 12, 2011 | 3:33 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: 40 miles SE of EWR
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http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N12221