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QF B734 missing landing gear door
Hi guys,
I was doing a spot of spotting at Adelaide Airport when I took a shot of this QF B734 (VH-TJI). A friend noted that the RH MLG didn't look right. Clearly it is missing the RH MLG strut fairing (door). I noticed a safety vehicle travel up and down the runway after the takeoff but didn't observe it stop at any point although I didn't watch it for the whole time it was out there. Question is; did the door fall off prior to or on takeoff? or; was it missing to start with and launched anyway? Surely this door would be part of the aircraft's MEL? Anybody have any info? Attachment 78 Attachment 79 Last edited by Ray P.; 13th September 2008 at 01:16 PM. |
#2
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This from Boeing 737 design description might assist:
To save weight and reduce cost and complexity the 737 lacks full doors to cover the main landing gear. The main landing gear (under the wings at mid-cabin) rotate into wells in the aircraft's belly, the legs being covered by partial doors, and "brush-like" seals aerodynamically smooth (or "fair") the wheels in the wells. The sides of the tires are exposed to the air in flight. "Hub caps" complete the aerodynamic profile of the wheels. It is forbidden to operate without the caps, because they are links to the ground speed sensor that interfaces with the anti-skid brake system. When observing a 737 takeoff, or at low altitude, the dark circles of the tires can be plainly seen.
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Philip |
#3
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Ray clearly said...
Quote:
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Click Here to view my aircraft photos at JetPhotos.Net! http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?userid=30538 |
#4
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Quote:
Attachment 81 Last edited by Ray P.; 9th June 2008 at 07:23 PM. |
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Ray P
what should do if post a photo of a 737 with the door for comparison Banjo
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used to fly globally on business, now retired |
#6
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Hi Ray, although rare it is permissible to operate most Boeing types with parts of gear doors missing (as well as other bits!) We have a Configuration Deviation List (CDL) that lists what we can go without.
On the 767 we can have various bits of gear doors missing, from hinge covers to entire panels. Some limit the speed but the operation can continue. Particularly handy if FOD or ramp-rash occurs. Cheers. |
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Ramp-rash...nice one!
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#8
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or Ramp Rage as what we engineers tend to call it. It would be a weight and a speed penalty for the missing door under the CDL manual
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#9
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Quote:
Now you see it...now you don't. (Please note that the comparison is with a B73H) Attachment 85Attachment 86 Quote:
Last edited by Ray P.; 9th June 2008 at 07:23 PM. |
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The credit goes to my mate Tim who was standing beside me when I took the pics.
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