The NTSB released the following two photos of Southwest Airlines 737-300 (N387SW), Flight 2294, that experienced a rapid decompression after a hole opened in the fuselage on July 13, 2009.
Damaged section of fuselage skin facing outside the aircraft
Damaged section of fuselage skin facing inside the aircraft
The damaged aircraft skin section was visually examined in the NTSB’s Materials Laboratory. The damage left a hole measuring approximately 17 inches by 8 inches. The skin in this area of the fuselage is 0.032 inches thick with an additional 0.032 inch thick layer bonded to the interior surface in selected areas.
According to NTSB the initial visual examination found the fractures in good condition and suitable for further analysis. No significant corrosion or obvious pre-existing mechanical damage was noted. A detailed metallurgical examination of the skin section and the fracture surfaces will be accomplished by the Safety Board in the coming days.
Southwest Airlines is now in the process of repairing the aircraft at Yeager Airport, Charleston, West Virginia.
Photos: NTSB
Related:
* April 2011 – Second Southwest B737 Fuselage Rupture
Southwest Boeing 737 – Hole in Fuselage
may want to ask if the dorsal fin fairing was dropped while installing it after a heavy inspection??
I hope inlight of this incident, that this does not scare people from flying w/ SOUTHWEST AIRLINES! THIS COMPANY WORKS VERY HARD
As per NTSB photo only the thinner skin section failed ,looks like classic fatigue of the thinner part of skin section adjacent to the upper .
Positive for boeing the failed area remained contained
This is a design fault.Next generation B737 have this type of skin to reduce weight.
Sure we will see a mod for this soon ….
Please note that this is NOT the recent (April 2011) Southwest fuselage rupture that was in the media! This incident happened already in 2009 involving the same type of Boeing 737.
The recent story and pictures can be found at: http://www.flightstory.net/20110403/southwest-grounds-boeing-737-300