Incident Overview

Date: Thursday 20 September 2007
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-809
Owner/operator: China Airlines
Registration Number: B-16805
Location: Saga (RJFS) – ÿ Japan
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Fuselage skinFuselage skin
Investigating Agency: ASCASC
Category: Accident
A Boeing 737-800 flight CI7752 experienced a crack in the fuselage skin below the aft cargo door after landing at Saga Airport, Japan. The crack, measuring 77 cm, was discovered during a transit check. The incident was triggered by a complex stress scenario involving plastic waste tank outlet flanges and trapped waste tank fluid, leading to corrosion and ultimately, skin fracturing.A Boeing 737-800 flight CI7752 experienced a crack in the fuselage skin below the aft cargo door after landing at Saga Airport, Japan. The crack, measuring 77 cm, was discovered during a transit check. The incident was triggered by a complex stress scenario involving plastic waste tank outlet flanges and trapped waste tank fluid, leading to corrosion and ultimately, skin fracturing.

Description

During the inspection of China Air Lines flight CI7752, a Boeing 737-800, registration B-16805, a 77 cm crack in the fuselage skin was found below the aft cargo door during a transit check after landing at Saga Airport, Japan. The flight had originated in Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei, Taiwan. Findings Related to Probable Causes 1. The plastic waste tank outlet flanges could not resist complex stresses resulting from the installation of coupling tubes of waste water system. 2. The consistence leakage of waste tank fluid was trapped in the lower level of affected area, and the concentration of Chlorine was increased by evaporating of water. It induced corrosion to the detriment of the fuselage skin. The residual strength of the skin was not of sufficient to endure the hoop-wise stress resulted from flight operation. Finally the fuselage skin fractured to a 30 in (77 cm) crack due to the overstress.

Primary Cause

Complex stress caused by plastic waste tank outlet flanges and trapped waste tank fluid during flight operation.Complex stress caused by plastic waste tank outlet flanges and trapped waste tank fluid during flight operation.

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