767 engine fire/damage at LAX

[local 12 proud]

If the plane were repairable, how would we go about it? Does LAX have the facilities to conduct such a repair? I assume from the looks of it that it is not air worthy. If that is the case and LAX could not handle the repairs, how would the plane be transported to somewhere else? Do the wings come off? I thought I saw when they were building the #380 that the wing spar was one piece from wing tip to wing tip. How does an engine get transported …. Ground, cargo plane?

Thanks

It would require a field trip for structure guru's either from AFW or TUL. I suspect its repairable just by the few pics that were posted, however it will need some major repairs. I could be wrong, but I've seen worse returned to service.

 

[700UW]

That type of major repair will have to be evaluated and designed by much input from Boeing, the whole wing will probably have to be replaced and numerous sections of fuselage, I doubt AA will want tons of scab patches on the fuselage.

Like I have said in the other thread, we at US had the same incident on one of our 767s back in 2000 and it was a total loss as it was not cost prohibitive to fix.

 

[Bob Owens]

That type of major repair will have to be evaluated and designed by much input from Boeing, the whole wing will probably have to be replaced and numerous sections of fuselage, I doubt AA will want tons of scab patches on the fuselage.

Like I have said in the other thread, we at US had the same incident on one of our 767s back in 2000 and it was a total loss as it was not cost prohibitive to fix.

Especially when there are 767s out in the desert.

 

[Garfield1966]

Can LAX do major repairs like that? If they could not, how would you transport an aircraft to a location that could do it? If it cannot be transported, do we just fly people in who can do it and do it on the tarmac?

I remember the pictures of the 767 that got creamed by a bunch of birds climbing out of Paris. I thought I heard/saw that we put a bunch of speed tape (?) and flew it home at low alt for repairs in TUL. Is something like that possible with this plane?

Thanks

 

[eolesen]

The only future flying this aircraft will be doing is as beer cans being thrown into the trash.

This is one of the 16 -200ERs that are only used for transcons. If it's truly needed for schedule, as noted there are plenty of -200's available on the used market with CF6's.

Now, if it were a -300ER or a 777, perhaps there'd be some justification to fix it up, but the damage appears to exceed the book value of the hull by a wide margin.

 

[adiruwho]

Though I don't work for AA I have been in those hangars several times and used to work right next door. American does have the facilities for a major repair to be accomplished at Lax. however it may not be economically justifiable to do so. Typically In a case like this more than likely Boeing would perform the repairs, and have teams set up with necessary jig fixtures to perform them. Basically its up to the bean counters now. I hope this helps to answer the questions.

 

[Wretched Wrench]

Can LAX do major repairs like that? If they could not, how would you transport an aircraft to a location that could do it? If it cannot be transported, do we just fly people in who can do it and do it on the tarmac?

I remember the pictures of the 767 that got creamed by a bunch of birds climbing out of Paris. I thought I heard/saw that we put a bunch of speed tape (?) and flew it home at low alt for repairs in TUL. Is something like that possible with this plane?

Thanks

The FAA is in charge of issuing ferry permits, so it is up to them.

However, Formod is probably correct in that the AC is not worth saving. Supply and demand rules, once again...... Or still.

 

[Garfield1966]

Is AA/NTSB/FAA looking into what caused this? I shuder to think that there mght be more 76's out there with the same problem and no one knows about it. All we need is for this to happen on take off and we are screwed.

 

[coolflyingfool]

WOW! I am just glad no one was hurt. Just imagine if some a/c mechs were standing nearby during the run-up. just my thoughts.......

 

[Hopeful]

If a repair is determined to be feasible, I think the Boeing "SWAT" team would be called to do the job.

 

[Wretched Wrench]

Considering the damage, I wonder about scattershields on wheels. A trailer of timbers on each side of the engine should do it.

But heck, AA could end up making money on this.🙂

 

[AMFAMAN]

But heck, AA could end up making money on this.🙂

Considering that Delta sold 11 767-200's to ABX less than a year ago for $190 million, the value of this jet can't be much more than $20 million. From the pictures it would appear that the right engine also took a big hit, so the price of two engines alone is several million. Add in flaps, flap tracks, pylon, and the ac bay, you're at or over $10 million in parts without the damage to the fuselage or the wing surface. I'll be looking for it as a beer can in the future.

 

[slipnutwrench]

I was able to have a look at this A/C last night. Based on what was seen, I believe in my humble opinion that this plane is a TOTAL write-off. The left wing has severe trailing edge damage extending two-thirds of the way to the wingtip. The aft left side of the fuselage fwd of the horiz. stab. has fire/burn damage over a very large area. Because of its age and current market value, I'll bet the insurance co. will be writing a check and shortly thereafter be carting away pieces of a/c in trucks to the scrapyard.

 

[eolesen]

Word today is that it has a fractured or damaged keel beam... Anyone know structures enough to comment on the extent of that, or how it would happen (i.e. was the heat from the fire enough to cause the beam to buckle?)

 

[Mach85ER]

Word today is that it has a fractured or damaged keel beam... Anyone know structures enough to comment on the extent of that, or how it would happen (i.e. was the heat from the fire enough to cause the beam to buckle?)

F.M.

From looking at the blogspot photos, one pic shows a good view of the damage to the center bottom. That exploding turbine wheel from the left engine ripped all the way through the center body and almost through the right engine too. My guess it took the keel beam with it. Even with over ten years fly the 75/76's, it took me a few days to notice it.If this happened on takeoff, both engines would have been destroyed, along with the fuel tanks ruptured by red hot turbine parts, plus the possibility of all flight control, hydraulic and electrical lines severed in that center section. "Lawn Dart" would be a good description at that point.