Aircraft Accident Investigation Report No. ACCID01/06
Aircraft Accident Investigation Report No. ACCID01/06
Aircraft Accident Investigation Report No. ACCID01/06
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CityU Professional Services Ltd<br />
Failure Analysis of a Towbar<br />
Department of Physics & Materials Science<br />
City University of Hong Kong<br />
4. Initial Examination<br />
The samples, having been identified during the site visit, were transported to the investigator at<br />
City University of Hong Kong for detail examination. Figure 4-1 shows the samples as received<br />
from Menzies. Apart from the pieces from the head assembly, the samples also consist of the<br />
towbar fitting on loan from Air Macau and the head-to-tube connector. Two new shear bolts<br />
were also provided for comparison. It is noted that at a later stage, three bolts of about 16 mm<br />
(5/8-inch) in diameter were also provided by Menzies for tensile test.<br />
Figure 4-1 : Samples as received from Menzies<br />
Figure 4-2(a) shows that the tip on the left-hand side of the plate of the head-to-tube connector<br />
was bent upwards. This is shown more clearly in Figure 4-2(b), in which a straight red lie was<br />
drawn to show that the plate was bent. A bushing at this position was also seen to rotate<br />
clockwise.<br />
(a) front view<br />
(b) bent tip and rotated bushing<br />
Figure 4-2 : Appearance of head-to-tube connector<br />
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