Only One Other Plane Lost Tail Section

Newsday ^ | 11/15/01 | Sylvia Adcock, Lauren Terrazzano and Tom McGinty

[vrwc54]

Only once in the past 30 years has a commercial airliner lost its tail section in flight, but that case involved a vastly different scenario than American Airlines Flight 587.

A Japan Air Lines flight crashed into a mountain outside Tokyo in 1985 after the tail of the Boeing 747 fell off, killing 520 people. But that accident occurred because the rear pressure bulkhead in the back of the plane collapsed, a scenario impossible in the case of Flight 587, which was at too low an altitude to cause any strain on the pressure bulkhead.

[vrwc54]

I guess there's a first time for everything. /sarcasm

[Diogenesis]

Could a sabateur have used a material to dissolve the composite?

[vrwc54]

FYI...saw your names from the NY Times article.

[meenie]

No it can't be allowed to show it was an act of terrorism, because it would jeopardize the airline industry. If it is shown to be an accident, then the public is supposed to have confidence in airlines. You figure it out, I can't see the reasoning.

[vrwc54]

I know nothing about planes, but I do know when I'm being spinned. The PTB were calling this event an accident before the fire was even put out.

[vrwc54]

Link to the NY Times article: Crash Inquiry Focuses on Tail Fin That Broke Off

[ProudFossil]

I have to agree in part with you. However if the crash is shown to be an accident how does that allow the public to have any more confidence in the airlines then if it is sabotage. I have flown three times since 9/11, my wife four times. If I were to think the planes are falling apart (which I think is what happened to 587) then I would be more reluctant to fly than if I have to take a chance that the plane I was on is the target of some nut. I make sure my car is well maintained before I go on the freeway but have no control over the drunk in the lane next to me. I have to feel sorry for the airlines. They are in a damned if they do and damned if they don't situation.

[wrench]

There have been several instances of tail failure in jet transport aircraft. BOAC FLT 911 This was a severe case of clear air turbulence, which resulted in airframe failure. The verticle tail appears to have been the first to go in this instance. There was also an Air Force C-141 that lost its tail in the mid 70's, (sorry, no link). Airframe failure is very rare, but not unheard of.

[vrwc54]

Here is a link to a forum with some, although not all, knowledgable posters:

Discussion Forum on Flight 587

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

B-52H as well.

[slym]

Thanks and a BUMP. Interesting contrast with the JAL disaster...

[petbop]

Others were calling it terrorism before the fires were put out.

[slym]

587 pics.... Cut and paste into your braowser:

Stab and tail section:

http://www.ntsb.gov/events/2001/AA587/tailcomp.htm

[vrwc54]

Link to a discussion forum on the photo of the fusilage where it separated from the tail fin

There are lots of knowledgable people on this forum with, it seems, a little bit more experience than is available on FR.

Link to the main page of Flight 587 Forum