UPS MD-11 crash at SDF

Maybe this indicates a need for redundancy in future aircraft designs, so the failure of a single critical component won't send an engine flying off the wing.
 
arkavgal said:
Maybe this indicates a need for redundancy in future aircraft designs, so the failure of a single critical component won't send an engine flying off the wing.
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It's already been implemented. But the truth is that you can't just bolt an engine to an airplane, that's a recipe for disaster. When I'm asked about this by folks with no idea I'll tell them the engines are held on by 3 or 4 1/2" bolts and maybe a trunnion bolt. If they ask more questions I'll explain bushings, spherical bearings, thrust struts, loads and relative motion. If not I don't mind them walking away terrified of flying. I'm not going to convince them of anything, I'm just a dumb mechanic.
 
FlyingAccountant said:
www.flightglobal.com

UPS MD-11F crash hearing details multiple prior pylon bearing failures - FlightGlobal

Fatigue cracking led bearing race to split and put abnormal stress on lugs anchoring pylon to wing. While an investigative hearing has opened to determine the circumstances of the fatal UPS Boeing MD-11F accident at Louisville in November last year, the inquiry has revealed that bearing...
www.flightglobal.com www.flightglobal.com

This doesn't exactly portray Boeing in the best light. It was a known issue since at least 2002. Three of UPS's other MD11s were found to have similar defects.
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I haven’t watched the whole hearing but this is something that stuck out to me. They’re all GE iirc. Even more concerning was two of those airplanes flew after the crash.
 
knot4u said:
It's already been implemented. But the truth is that you can't just bolt an engine to an airplane, that's a recipe for disaster. When I'm asked about this by folks with no idea I'll tell them the engines are held on by 3 or 4 1/2" bolts and maybe a trunnion bolt. If they ask more questions I'll explain bushings, spherical bearings, thrust struts, loads and relative motion. If not I don't mind them walking away terrified of flying. I'm not going to convince them of anything, I'm just a dumb mechanic.
Click to expand...
I'm the same way when I try to explain quantum mechanics to someone
 
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