Whoever was on this flight, don't be afraid to discreetly bring it up to a flight attendant or pilot after the flight. That way they can flag it with maintenance for review
What now? Let me tell you what now. I'ma call a coupla hard, pipe-hittin' n***ers, who'll go to work on the homes here with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. You hear me talkin', hillbilly boy? I ain't through with you by a damn sight. I'ma get medieval on your ass.
Probably best to pull out your laptop with a count down times in huge red numbers until the flight lands so everyone on board can see how much time is left.
lol this reminded me of a pretty bumpy flight I was on. It was a redeye and I leaned my head on the seat in front of me for 30 seconds idk why. But the lady next to me was freaking out about the turbulence. Admittedly, it was pretty bad but I fly a lot so nothing new to me.
She said “LOOK AT THAT GUY!! HES PRAYING MY GAWD” and she started praying under her breath 🤣
Your comment or post has been automatically removed from /r/aviation. Posts/Comments from new accounts are automatically removed by our automated systems. We, and many other large subreddits, do this to combat spam, spambots, and other activities that are not condusive to the sub. In the meantime, participate on Reddit to build your acouunt age and this restriction will go away. Also, please familiarize yourself with this subreddit's rules, which you can find in the sidebar or by clicking this link. Do not contact the moderation team unless you feel you have received this message/action in error. We will not manually approve comments or posts from new accounts.
I was on a budget flight between two cities in Colombia and a large portion of the passengers had never flown before. People heard the flaps retract and were screaming and loudly praying. This was a smooth flight on a brand-new A320.
I didnt know screws moved around that much. Maybe its thats giant looking crack next to them?
Then you start asking the other passangers.
Write a text message to your wife or whoever, telling them you might not make it. Then ask the person sitting next to you if the message addresses the issue on the wing.
One time I was flying from Anchorage to someplace in rural Alaska on a smaller plane. I was by the wing and I noticed that one of the latches was not fully closed. One of those that says to press here and ensure it is flat and fully secured.
The entire 2 hr flight I nervously checked on it every so often to see if it was coming any closer.
It wasn't and we landed without any issues.
At the terminal, I saw one of the flight attendants and told her about a loose patch on the portside wing engine cowling.
She scoffed and looked at me like I was missing some screws.
So I said whatever and walked away to go pick up my checked luggage.
You would think flight crew would want to check things out when someone comes forward. But she didn't.
Didn't hear of any incidents with the plane so hopefully a mechanic saw the loose latch later on and secured it.
I think they have an opinion that the crews know exactly how everything should be done, and we're just dumb customers who aren't trained on anything so we don't know better. Either that or laziness.
I remember when I was fresh out of high school and throwing bags for Northwest. One day I'm out there and there's a latch hanging open on an engine, and I point it out to my lead. Flight was delayed 30 minutes as they ran a mechanic out to inspect it. Got a citation for attention to security and safety delivered by the GM for our area, and an article in the company newsletter.
Then again, this was less than five years after 9/11 and everyone was panicking about every little shadow.
And risk trashing their reputation by having a plane crash? In an era when people can live stream the disaster from inside the airplane? Nobody wants the NTSB coming down on them like a ton of bricks. Delta, United, American, Jet Blue, Southwest, they're names people will remember and avoid.
Based on my lurking in /r/aviationmaintenance it's private planes you gotta look out for. The big boys take this stuff seriously.
Yes. I've not been in one yet, but it is just a matter of time, given how much I fly for work. knocks on wood
A few years ago, a plane crashed in rural Alaska and it was the same plane I had booked for work. A few weeks prior, I changed my ticket to another flight because of prior personal commitments and scheduling. Didn't end up going on the trip because of the crash and because the airline went bankrupt.
Definitely unnerving how close I have been to being in an aviation disaster.
Yup. Once noticed hydraulic fluid leaking out a cowling on a 737 and mentioned it to the PA when we landed. Said "thanks" but the look she gave me was definitely "fuck off twat"....
That's unfortunate. I was on a 737 once and on the inner edge of the aileron there was a strip of rubber that was hanging loose and getting caught in a way that looked like might inhibit the downward movement. It never did but I watched it nervously the whole flight.
At the end I told the flight attendant. She asked me to hold back a few minutes so I could explain it to someone from the cockpit. Then the pilot ask me to show them. I guess it depends on the person or company training/policy.
I’ve always relayed the info to my pilots. I’ve even had customers send their pictures or their videos to me and then I AirDrop them to the flight deck if we’re in flight because obviously they can’t come out unless they’re doing a bathroom break or something.
On a night flight back from a convention in Vegas we were in an older plane that looked like crap.
At one point an oily black liquid started leaking down the side of the plane from behind the overhead bins. We pointed it out to the flight attendant who just said "Well then just don't touch it" and stormed off apparently mad that we mentioned it.
You would think flight crew would want to check things out when someone comes forward. But she didn't.
She may have been hoping to reduce your concern / anxiety and chose a bad way to express it.
They're customer service staff, not technical staff. Their job is to make sure you have a good experience, and don't think they're a shitty fly-by-night airline which you just barely survived.
Maybe she immediately went and told the pilot or maintenance.
Before 9/11, I told the waiting flight crew that there were at least five guys with pocket knives also waiting for the plane. The guy that was sitting across from me in the terminal was carving an apple (why I noticed).
They laughed at me. It’s a mindset that can’t see ahead and doesn’t care anyway. Eventually, it kills people.
Indeed! I flew this January and about half an hour from landing I noticed a flap (aileron? Idk) connection was loose, like literally that end wasn’t mounted to the plane. I kept relatively calm, told nobody until after we landed (not much they could do), and made sure to be one of the last people to disembark so I could show them a video of it.
There’s not a lot that can be done in a lot of cases. Better to not freak people out unnecessarily.
/my wife was not happy when I told her I sat there wondering if the plane would crash and I hadn’t warned her.
One I saw one of those strips break loose and fly off, not long before landing. I told one of the flight attendants and she was like “oh things break off all the time”.
Well...see...it may actually be a good idea to mention things like that to the crew in flight. That way if the control surfaces start acting funny, they know exactly what it is and can compensate accordingly. Also, they can make an emergency landing if needed instead of crashing into a field and killing everyone on board.
If a flap or aileron connection is legitimately lose, there is absolutely stuff the pilots can do to mitigate the problem. For example, if there's a problem with the flaps, they should not deploy them and they'll land flaps-up. As a pilot, if I saw a potential flight control issue, you're damn right I'm notifying the crew.
People see and flag that all the time around here. Flaps aren't mounted on the ends, but often are on a set of rails/tracks at like 1/3 and 2/3 down the span. And the unsupported ends, especially up close where they're behind the engine's turbulent exhaust, can move a fair bit.
What makes this even more horrifying is this is Thai Lion Air, a ghetto ass LCC in Southeast Asia. The LCC market is super competitive down there in the region and it's probably a race to the bottom in cutting maintenance costs.
It's only a matter of time until there's a news headline.
Due to tariffs, speed tape was to be replaced with molasses, but since the widespread governmental implementation of AI, all they shipped was a large quantity of the hindquarters of mid-sized burrowing mammals.
Corn farmers of America after having lost their farms due to governmental incompetance lament that corn syrup may be too expensive now and suggest just
"pretending" that you went on vacation.
The joke is that the AI read "molasses" as "mole asses", poking at the flaws of inserting poorly unoptimized software to control critical infrastructure of a company. Yet companies keep dumping millions into its development and replacing experienced and even certified workers with AI slop in order to have to pay less actual workers.
Was mildly concerned on entering the aircraft that the flashing around the cabin door was missing many rivets and hanging off, but thought "I'm sure it's fine." But after sitting through the safety announcement I discovered that my seatbelt wasn't actually attached at one end.
Luckily however, I was sitting at the rear of the plane and it only took me a few moments to find the screw that had fallen out on the floor and reattach it, finger tight. (Gave it a slap and thought "that's good enough for another 1000 miles!")
I noticed a rag trapped in the slats on the right wing, took a video and when I was deplaning spoke to the captain and airdropped the video to him. He was very grateful
Whilst this particular thing isn't at all serious, sometimes passengers notice things that do matter. A passenger on Aloha 243 saw a large crack when boarding and apparently didn't think much of it until afterwards.
In the pre-9/11 days I knew a guy who sent a note to the pilot mid-flight that read: "My name is X, I'm an aerospace engineer at Boeing, I'm in seat Y. I'd like you to know that I can see fuel leaking from the wing."
The worst they can do is laugh at you. When I was like 14 years old we were one of the first to board and when I was putting my bag in the overhead compartment and noticed a bag already there, a little black duffel bag. I told the flight attendant and they said it was the first-aid kit.
Dude, it's loose fasteners on an aesthetic/aerodynamic cover for the flap track. It's not a critical part of the airplane. If that actually fell off, what do you think would happen to the aircraft? Nothing.
What about the other set of fasteners in the video? Two are a little loose; three are fine. I think that they hold the wing skin to the internal structure, but I'm not sure. I guarantee it is not going to cause damage if those two come out. Remember that we're talking about an aircraft here; half of those fasteners are probably there just for redundancy.
And how are people's lives at risk? Maybe if the flap track fairing actually disconnects and falls to the ground and hits someone in the head?
But look at the beginning of the video; the fasteners on the side are not loose. What about the ones on the other side and the bottom? I wouldn't call this negligence.
How are you going to check for loose fasteners like that anyway? And on top of the wing too? Do you expect them to get ladders and walk on the wing?
This is the reason why they said to mention this discreetly. Because people who don't know if that's dangerous or not will overreact and freak out. The correct action is to make sure that the flight crew is alerted so they can tell maintenance, who will fix the issue.
If you took a taxi and the rear bumper of the car fell off halfway through the trip, would you try to sue the company for negligence?
Lmao nobody’s life is at risk on that flight. A couple fasteners being loose isn’t dangerous at all. Just let the crew know what you saw and they’ll take care of it with maintenance.
Amazing! Let's set the bar low for the airlines and don't hold them accountable.
The checks and maintenance should have been DONE before the flight. This is why we have plane crashes, cheap ass airlines trying to save money on maintenance and putting people's lives at risk.
Maintenance doesn’t check every single fastener prior to every flight so I don’t know what you’re talking about.
It’s not common but fasteners can become slightly loose and wiggle when the aircraft is in flight due to the aerodynamic flow. It’s not a dangerous situation, there’s a reason there are hundreds of them.
You can listen to me, an airline pilot, and be reassured this situation is okay, or you can continue on your uneducated breakout and keep believing you’re right even when an expert is telling you you’re wrong.
Double bubble is ok, but the pros I know claim Bazooka has superior adhesion and flexibilty, plus they used to include a cool little comic strip in every pack
You were right the first time. It was called duck tape because it's backed with duck cloth or duck canvas.
Of course at this point "duct tape" is also valid because it was mistakenly called that by so many people. If someone really wanted to be pedantic about it, they'd only refer to heat-resistant metallic tape as 'duct tape' because normal duck tape melts when applied to heating ducts.
All the people who think they’re really smart and making funny of this commenter because they think its not called duck tape… Its called duck tape because it was originally made out of a type of cloth called duck cloth. The name duct tape only came after as a eggcorn. Read a book guys.
KC-135s (and all C-135 variants) have structural floorboards held in with dozens of screws per board, at least two of which would fight coming out every board if I recall correctly. That plane is old as shit so I don't know about more modern planes, but at least some old ones absolutely do that
That’s not necessarily true.
They may not be taking primary loads, but they may take secondary/aerodynamic loads.
Also, some manhole doors on the lower wing skins are attached with screws and some of them are load carrying, as in main wing bending loads.
Aren't screws usually part of a 'belt and braces' fitment method where adhesive is also used on the underside of a skin and screws are used to aid clamping pressure. This is more a leftover from the bygone days of rivets and glue but it still somewhat applies today.
Not always, as I said in my comment above, they are used for manhole doors or for secondary panel attachments, often closing panels along the front and rear edges of the wing for example, where you need to have a removeable panel but can’t access the back side of the screw.
Here, we’re not talking woodscrew, they’re very much similar to bolts, but they attach into anchor nuts on the other side of the panel.
Anchor nuts are usually held on using small rivets, so they’re not massively capable of taking particularly high loads in plane, they usually used more in cases where the load on the bolt is tension.
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
this is obviously different, but I worked on the C-5 when I was in the Air Force. The flare panels were screwed in. Definitely structural but also not commercial
I was on a flight where three of those ripped off the plane. It sounded like a quiet buzzing noise that grew to deafeningly loud over the course of about five seconds, repeat two more times. Everyone looked at each other like "what was that?" looked out all the window, didn't notice any problems with the plane, and just continued to our destination. After we landed we were a little bit more concerned but got busy enjoying our week of vacation wherever we were.
Wings on commercial airliners are secured with comparatively massive 'bottle pins', named that way because theyre shaped like fucking bottles, not the pin part. Bottle pin vs bottle bolt, take your pick, but theyre not tighten by hand Phillips like these. The fairings are attached with those. They make the plane pretty and fly better all around.
That's a flap fairing that is purely to hide mechanisms for aerodynamic purposes. The plane can fly even if it falls off. Still it is not good optics. Where else are screws about to come off?
As a pilot I need passengers to show me this stuff rather than posting about it on reddit too. I can't see that from my seat and I can't see it on the walk around looking up from the bottom. But I can get maintenance to fix it if I know about it.
Yes thank you for showing me this video from a plane I'm not sure if I fly at an airline I don't know if I fly for. I can certainly have maintenance get right on that.
I mean, realistically they're going to "brush it off" and downplay it to the passenger, to avoid them worrying. But that doesn't mention they won't drop a "by the way" to the pilot or ground crew after the flight (which is what they should do).
That is exactly the problem with flight attendants. DIsregard that tool you're replying to, he doesn't know anything. There's an actual pilot in this thread saying he would rather know first hand himself.
So tell both? Flight attendant during flight, and pilot as well once you are walking off the plane.
Feel free to go charging up to the cockpit and start banging on the door mid-flight and see where that gets you... I mean, come on. Use some common sense here.
Sounds like you have really shitty protocols if you’re rely on passengers to determine what needs to be fixed by maintenance. Management needs a bmp that doesn’t require passengers to check planes in flight. Honestly it’s actually disturbing that you didn’t tell us that there is a protocol for stewardess or others to pure out of the windows and check the plane over during flight.
The problem in this video would have been found and fixed in hangar maintenance. That only happens about once every 100 flight hours. The planes don't go into maintenance every night. Sometimes they fly all night. If an employee or passenger notices it before maintenance then it will get fixed. If no one notices it or does anything about it then it doesn't get fixed until the next time the plane is in the hangar.
But don't you think it should either be more often, or there should be some kind of supplemental checks between full inspections? It just seems like it is either the checks are not frequent enough, or there is a lack of secondary checks on the part of the airline (or authorities).
Of course a passenger should report these things, but if pilots "need passengers" to do it, that seems like a bad system.
The only reason I need passengers to report it is because the thing in this video is in a spot where the pilots can't see it but the passengers can. We do a pre flight walk around every flight and look into many places you can't see. But the tops of wings and cabin interior are two places you can see that we don't get to see unless someone shows us a problem.
I get your walkthrough doesn't cover it, but that's exactly what I'm saying. Shouldn't someone who knows what to look for actually go into a place where they can see these things?
There are 200 passengers on a plane and 6 crew members. Six sets of eyes won't see as many things as 200 sets of eyes. No one is relying on it. This will be found and corrected in routine hangar maintenance so if you're too scared to speak up it's going to be fine. But if you choose to say something then it will be written up and fixed on the spot.
My immediate thought as well. Can't believe it's getting down voted. Hundreds of life at stake, these is NOT the responsibility of the customers. Inspect and maintain your planes!
Maybe you should tell your flight attendant's not to be douche bags and listen to passengers concerns and take this stuff seriously, or stand by the cockpit door on deplane and ask each passenger that walks by if they have any comments or concerns or leave an anonymous comment box ppl can leave notes for you with contact info so you can reach out and get the video from these ppl if they say they have it.
If there is something you want you gotta make an effort since most people will not take their jobs seriously or act professional like the flight attendants commenters have said they mention things to and are just laughed off.
When my company had a helicopter, my boss pointed up towards the rotor before we climbed in. He said (while laughing), “They call that the Jesus nut, because if it fails, we meet him.” It was a hell of a thing to say right before departure.
I think.the rule was you couldn't have more than 3 loose in a row when I flew the Saab. It always kind of pussed me off that I couldn't just tighten them myself like I'd do on a GA plane.
We'd have to take a delay so mx could come over and tighten 5 screws.
Well the plane can keep flying, but there's also the concern that if it comes off its going to land somewhere. and there's a higher than 0% chance that somewhere will also be occupied by a person.
no he is saying the threaded nut on the inside of the fairing is probably captive to the fairing via welding. You cannot hold the nut still while torquing because you have no access in the inside once the fairing is mounted and the intieror space is closed up. So the nut side of the connection must be held in place. most likely by being welded in place.
I get what he’s implying, that’s just not the case here. It’ll usually be held in with an anchor nut, which itself is riveted as the other reply to your comment mentioned. IIRC, I don’t actually know for a fact as I’m only a lowly NDT guy, I don’t know for sure that’s just off memory
I’m zero concerned about the canoe screws being loose beyond that it’s not a great sign for overall maintenance…I am less fond of the later shot of the screws vibrating along the edge of the flap.
I agree mostly, and the downwash off the wing should force the fairing down below the elevator, but I'm not 100% not concerned it could still strike the elevator, it's very inboard.
The skin ones give me the willys though. If those are backing out, I'm wondering what other mx jobs were not closed out correctly.
Nah, even then. Had a KC-135 land with half its tail missing, that other flight where the cowl broke off the aircraft and hit the stabilizer, a Dash 8 collide mid-air with a whole-ass Cessna 172. Airplanes aren't paper-thin princesses, 1/4 lb of fiberglass MIGHT dent something. And there's probably already dents from shit getting kicked up off the runway.
Still not a good time. The real worst-case would be like a repeat of Southwest, arcing perfectly to hit a passenger window in a critical spot and causing it to fail. Wear your seatbelts, kids.
I’m not an aviator, but if that fairing did detach, is it in a spot where it might impact (strike) another more critical component on the plane during flight? Just curious. Thanks.
Probably not. Could it, yes, but very unlikely. The fairing would be flung back (relative to plane motion). It's high enough it wouldn't hit an engine (also not a big concerns as it's in the back and would hit a non critical area).
The biggest concern would be it hitting and breaking an elevator (rear wing flap). It could still fly, but landing would be rough. Doable, but considered a skill reliant landing and falls under an emergency landing.
Arguably if it hit the horizontal stab they could be in for some trouble. Like uncontrollable trouble. But I’m pretty sure the stab could take on the fiberglass canoe and win.
This Dash 8 hit a whole-ass Cessna 172 in mid-air and continued on for a landing just fine. I would also like to see it fixed and not just risk it, but I doubt less than half a pound of fiberglass or composite is going to cripple the airplane.
The stabilizers are designed to withstand impact damage from a thrown wheel thread, foreign objects blown up from the runway or bird strikes. Of course it gets damaged and needs to be repaired but not in a way that would affect control abilities during the remainder of the flight.
We typically try to tighten these and replace the missing ones. The only time you would speed tape fasteners is if either the nut plate was missing or damaged, thus there is nothing on the inside to receive the screw.
That being said, there are specific conditions that have to be met on specific panels to be able to speed tape missing fastener holes using the aircraft’s Structural Repair Manual.
Typically the missing fastener can’t be on the leading edge of a panel or at a corner or there can’t be more than one or two adjacent to each other. For the panels in the video, I don’t think there are any temporary repairs.
Then you would have to have an engineer draw up a temp repair or remove the panels and replace the nut plates
Probably, depending what their program is for that sort of thing, but assuming you’re at a base with in-house MX, it’s way easier to just re-torque and replace the missing one. Like, you can call maintenance control and mess with the deferral, set up a repetitive reinspect of the tape… or just get a new bolt, head out with the torque screwdriver, and sign it off for real.
Correct. It can be completely missing. Source: I flew a 737 once that had one missing. It was listed on the CDL. An eagle-eyed passenger even brought it up to a flight attendant!
There is an ever-so-slight chance that if the cowling/fairing comes off mid-flight, it might hit a critical control surface. But it would take a weird set of circumstances.
it's mostly just annoying for the line maintenance guys who will have to deal with the write-up once it lands. It’s perfectly safe, but it definitely points to someone rushing a panel installation during the last A-check.
If you didn’t, in the future make sure to show this to some crew member. I had something similar, not nearly as bad looking, on a flight. Took a photo and showed it to the captain and FO after we landed. Safety is achieved by everyone being involved.
Once I was boarding a Ryanair flight across europe and I saw an obvious bird strike on the edge of the engine. The diameter of the splatter was pretty huge. I pointed it out to the flight attendant when I climbed the stairs and he took a pic and quickly told his crew and the pilots. They got out, took more pics, squeegeed off the bird paste, and then we were on our way. I definitely felt pretty cool for being the only one out of 100+ people who said something about it.
One time I was on vacation with a (white) rental car. Driving down the road (ironically back to the rental dropoff), and out of nowhere a bird flew in front of the car and we actually hit it.
Get to the rental place for the dropoff inspection. Feathers, and ... pieces in the front headlight well/grille. Blood down the side of the car. Inspector kinda looked at us and I just said "we hit a bird." They shrugged and kept looking for other damage.
Oddly, the bird wasn't considered damage as it didn't really dent anything.
I was once on a redeye into Minneapolis as an unaccompanied minor and informed the flight attendant that part of the engine cowling had come off at some point during the night. It was there when I want to sleep, it was gone when I woke up about an hour out from landing. Almost certainly not coincidentally, I thought I'd been awoken by a loud sound.
She made no effort to look at it herself, and basically told me I was confused and ignorant, everything was fine, and to go back to sleep, child. While I was indeed a child at age 16, her delivery could not have possibly been more dripping with condescension. I tried again to get her to you know, do something, but told me to sit back down or face consequences. I figured that damned thing was still flying and that if there were a real issue with the engine the pilots would know, and just sat and stewed until landing.
As I disembarked the plane the flight attendants and one of the pilots were having a hushed yet animated conversation about how part of the right engine cowling was missing. I made a point of letting the pilot that I had, in fact, informed part of his crew of that fact while we were still in the air to no effect while giving a hard look at the flight attendant who'd written me off. She instantly flushed crimson, and he gave her a slow-motion, baleful glare while she tried to fumble for some sort of excuse. I just said "maybe next time you'll fuckinglook instead of calling your passenger stupid' and left without any further interaction.
It was the first time in my life I'd used the f-word so publicly. I'm still pissed about that incident to this day, over 20 years later. I've always wondered what consequences, if any, befell that FA. I hope there were some though. You'd think someone telling you that there was a loud 'bang' and part of the airplane is visibly missing would get more of an effort than a politely phrased if not so politely delivered version of 'shut up, dummy'.
No, I deliberately dragged my feet getting off so I could say something without inconveniencing others; there weren't other passengers around.
No happy, tidy satisfying internet ending. Just a pissed off teenager, pissed off flight crew, and embarrassed FA. No idea what the outcome was for the FA or aircraft, as much as I'd love to know and share.
Yes, let’s send it to the news so we can create more unnecessary panic in the media in an industry that includes a former airline captain calling for two pilots to lose their jobs because they spoke on the wrong frequency, which happens all the time /s
From a passenger perspective, a zero. If this falls off it affects nothing. Maybe a .5 because you doubt the aircraft a bit now.
From a pilot perspective, a two. If this falls off you might have to do paperwork. Plus makes you second guess the aircraft just a smidgen.
From maintenance perspective, a five. You'll have to tighten it which is easy, but now that its on reddit, higher ups might get involved and overcomplicate everything.
From a person in the flight path, a seven. Not so much because it is likely, but anything falls off a plane it'll mess you up.
Im not sure what the terminal velocity of aluminum plating is, but its not very high. A bigger concern would be it cutting you as it tumbles to the ground.
Terminal velocity should be around 90mph for something that light. But it would hurt. Not kill you probably. Ive had one hit me dropped from top of a tail. Hurt and bruised but no blood
The engine inlets are forward of the wing’s leading edge. Anything falling off is getting blown backwards by the air stream and will not touch the engine.
Now if the pilot’s wing mirror were to fall off, however…
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
How cliche do you to reuse an overly used saying. Just because you can't walk away from it doesn't mean it doesn't count as a landing. Artemis landed and they couldn't just walk away from it. Float planes land and you can't just walk away from even a good landing on water.
This always bothered me when the pilot gave their announcement. "We'll be on the ground in about ... 25 minutes." Please. Just say we're landing in 25. Thanks.
Reminds me of a quote my dad told me when I started climbing trees and asked for help up into one: "if you can't get up there yourself, you shouldn't be up there. If you need help up you're going to need help down."
If you can't take off by yourself, how deep in the shit are you when it's time to land? Same logic.
I remember mine because I didn’t check the passenger door was fully latched after my instructor got out. Boy, I know the plane should climb faster with him gone, but why is it so noisy?
LOL! On mine, two pilot friends in a group chat were snarking "some day maybe falcopilot will get to turn right"- I shot back "Bitches, I don't care- I'm doing my solo!"
As a non-aviation expert. Any screw that is moving around like that is broken or stripped and is not doing the job it's intended holy s*** this is why I don't fly.
That should've been the end of your sentence. These screws are neither broken or stripped. Just vibrated loose, usually ends up being that particular one 'cause it gets blast-fucked by the engine when the flaps are down. Tighten them up, replace the missing one, good to go.
I know screws LOL I don't know what the hell you're talking about but that is not how screws function in every single bit that I've ever known in my life and if it is then prove it to me more thoroughly cuz that is not how screws function
If screws and bolts never came loose just because you torqued them, I wouldn't have to lockwire bolts together to keep them from backing out and my fingertips would be so much happier. Airplanes are vibration generating machines.
And they settle too, which is why we to re-torques on installations like windshields and wing/horizontal stabilizer leading edges after a defined time, usually a couple hundred flight hours.
And that's some good information just imagine if you had done that on your first post instead of being an arrogant jerk. Also I don't think I'll ever fly again still. Cuz those should have been retorqued a long time ago
Fit? Lol I do believe we're done here. My sentiment stands. I do no trust the current quality of aviation control. If aircrafts were maintained accordingly screws would be....wait for it
.....
Screwed in.
Well no wonder you won't fly again if you're so fuckin soft this conversation is setting you off. Don't have any issue with someone asking questions. I have an issue with 'I self admittedly have no clue what I'm talking about but this is wrong' and then losing your shit at me with a slew of comments when I issue a correction. AME is Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Like you and screw threads, this is literally my job.
This stub of fairing does literally nothing but save you a few grams of fuel and keeps the flap components clean-ish. You can fly [with it completely missing]( or just operate with the whole thing gone for a limited amount of time and a fuel burn penalty.
100% they should get torqued up and that missing one should get swapped back in. But that area is just prone to getting rattled by the engine, and that corner of that flap even has material removed entirely from it as a repair, it's prone to developing cracks in that area apparently. Haven't seen any on my airplanes yet but someone's in r/aviation about once a month going 'WHY'S THE FLAP MISSING A BITE?' 😁
A screw by definition screws in into threads thread into thread there's no movement School me I'm okay with that like I said I'm no Aviation expert but I've been dealing with threads for decades and that's not how threads work and if it is then I guess I'm wrong.
There are others screws, you'll be fine, that's why they put so many. You can miss 10% of the screws in a panel that's not a sealed panel like for fuel.
Rivets can come loose, too, usually can see streaks behind them when it starts happening. Definitely less often than screws, but we use those all over the place still. Anywhere that needs access, can't be drilling out rivets every time you need to get in somewhere to look at something. Windshields, access panels, fairings, all sorts of stuff still gets screws. \^\^
On General Aviation, non pressurized aircraft, like a Piper or Cessna, the cabin door can appear closed but not be latched securely. It will pop open during the climb or cruise phase about an inch and stay there, making a horrendous amount of wind noise. The best thing to do is continue the flight to your planned destination and promise yourself you'll be more careful with the door closure in the future.
Loose sheet metal screws on an airliner take things to a different level of concern. The airline should talk with the involved maintenance crew about their procedures.
Definitely don't threadlock any of these access panel screws. The anchor nuts they're threaded into have a retaining feature and a running torque. Only time I've Loctite'd something on a plane is installing bushings into parts.
It's just a loose nutplate. You're fine. It's an aerodynamic fairing and isn't flight critical. Feel free to inform the crew when you see these things though so maintenance can get around to replacing it when able.
Other than looking out the window in-flight like this passenger did, no.
Typically these fastener issues will be found and logged/repaired during scheduled inspections of the components under these fairings/panels (X number of flight hours, component high times, etc.) or unscheduled maintenance of the components under the fairings/panels (reported problems from aircrew).
I get the avg person is uneducated, let alone uneducated in avionics.
But as a "reasonably educated" person... I would be nervous because my education does not include avionics.
Knowing that I have seen similar in flights as a child and said nothing because... I was a scared child and what good what it do to freak everyone else out(?).
Maybe some PSA's would be good to calm and educate.
On my third airplane flight in my life I was seated very early, and I watched the guy who drove the stairs that the crew takes into the cockpit start the engines, then back up into the plane, rocking the plane and poking a small hole in the skin of the aircraft. I saw him look furtively at the hole, then drive away without telling anyone. I sat there waiting for someone to say something, and when they didn’t I called the flight attendant over to show it to her. We eventually got a new plane, but that guy was willing to let a whole plane load of people go out over the Atlantic Ocean in a plane he damaged. Didn’t even duct tape over it.
Even if its only function is securing the cowling and optimizing aerodynamics, a 150g bolt failing at a cruise altitude of 35,000 ft could reach a terminal velocity of roughly 280 km/h. Accounting for aerodynamic drag, the resulting 400–450 Joules of kinetic energy upon impact is effectively equivalent to the muzzle energy of a 9mm projectile, it might be safe for those on top, but it doesn't seem very healthy for those below.
They almost took my medicated shampoo that I wouldn’t be able to get at my destination, and luckily the tsa agent actually read the bottle and asked me before just tossing it cos I would’ve been fucking miserable without that.
My mom had the same thing happen when she immigrated, there were a pair of knitting needles attached to a tiny little woolen sock that she was making, domestic flight security said to throw it out after it was deemed okay for an international flight.
They tried to take a paper nail file from me in 2003 at FRA… And my smartwatch charger in AYT in 2024 because they didn’t believe it wasn’t a nail clipper. 🙄
Your comment or post has been automatically removed from /r/aviation. Posts/Comments from new accounts are automatically removed by our automated systems. We, and many other large subreddits, do this to combat spam, spambots, and other activities that are not condusive to the sub. In the meantime, participate on Reddit to build your acouunt age and this restriction will go away. Also, please familiarize yourself with this subreddit's rules, which you can find in the sidebar or by clicking this link. Do not contact the moderation team unless you feel you have received this message/action in error. We will not manually approve comments or posts from new accounts.
Yeah I've gone through plenty of flights with my 4-5" blade pocket knife. Even thrown it in the bin to go through checks every time and never had it confiscated. Not sure why cause I always expect them to take it. At this point I'm just testing the waters to see how long it takes until that happens.
Flying back from Iraq, military flight but chartered civilian plane, one of my buddies forgot a hand grenade. He got in a decent amount of trouble but nothing permanent, just the typical getting yelled at and ridiculed for a bit. I legitimately don’t know if he was trying to smuggle it back, it was one of those smaller grenade, not the normal sized one, and it’s entirely possible he just forgot it was in his pack somehow. He was also a dumbass, so I dunno. Meanwhile I made it through 3 security screenings including multiple X-rays with 5.56 ammo that had fallen out of a magazine and was wedged in the bottom of a pocket of my vest, and I didn’t find that until I was back home washing everything to turn it back in. I really don’t have much faith in security screenings.
I’m always so happy to get my pocket knife back from my checked luggage. I’m in construction so I use mine multiple times a day so I miss it even on vacation or working out of town.
You guys are so lucky and I’m jealous. I go through security with my hijab and I inevitably get pulled aside. One time they even patted down my head stating I could have hidden something in my hijab (I wear it super flat and tight especially when flying, just so they can see there is nothing I could conceal). If I tried taking a screwdriver through I would probably get arrested.
It’s all worth it for the planes, though!!
Hopefully OP landed without sedation and proceeded to another flight where the screws were tighter.
not the guy you answered but I also do that all the time. I generally travel with a lunchbox sized tool kit with only items that are allowed on carry on, I don't like checking bags or walking around with a roller bag (carryon is a backpack)
Those are almost certainly torq-set or tri-wing screws, not standard phillips. So unless you packed your specialized aviation bit set in your carry-on, you're pretty much out of luck for doing any mid-air impromptu maintenance.
We’re not saying torx. We’re saying torq set, which is an absolute cunt of a screw head that even if you have the correct size bit, the correct angle, brand new screw, you’re gonnae round the cunt.
I had this missing on one of my flights. Before take-off I took a picture and put on the call light. I told her I just wanted to discreetly point this out and simply showed her the picture. She asked to borrow my phone and went and showed the pilots. They gave the explanation that it's not needed and perfectly safe, but thank you for bringing it up. Which the flight attendant quietly relayed back to me upon return of the phone.
Flew private to the Bahamas and plane (I think it was a DC 3 but hey I was 10) had same type of thing. My dad kept saying hey where’s the wing? I miss him.
I have flown on flights where this piece is missing altogether. It's very minor and nothing to worry about. That said. If they are not bothering to tighten these up, what else are they not checking.
That's just a decorative cover and it has no actual power to affect the flight, just like how Gandalf had no power to affect the flight of the Great Eagles who are of a proud, noble race created by Manwe and they are named Gwaihir, Landroval, and Thorondor.
Often on panels/components that are semi-regularly removed for maintenance, access etc. we use things called anchor nuts, because you want screws to tighten into a nut, but dont have access to the back. They are usually riveted in place and break somewhat frequently. My best guess is that the anchor nut is broken on the back, which gives it the space to wiggle around, but it can't pull through the fairing. That many being damaged means they should definitely be replaced, but there is almost no chance that fairing will fall off the plane.
And how much inspection do you presume occurs on a daily basis? Tens of thousands of bolts on a plane, we ain't going around every night and poking every one.
This poor fairing sits behind the engine and gets vibrated and rattled for its life, every operator in existence probably sees this. It's a non-critical component and if someone actually sees it loose then we'll fix it, otherwise, who's gonna see something not moving doing a walkaround on the ground looking up at the retracted flaps? I'd put absolutely zero correlation to "other maintenance" to something silly like this. But I get the perception.
Some are in some places, but definitely not always. What they do is hold on a little bit of fiberglass that saves you some fuel and is completely inconsequential otherwise.
Real talk though, that weld is gross and I'm kind of offended by it. Seriously, it's atrocious; pretty sure when it was freshly welded, you could've slapped the wing a little too hard and cracked it. Just ew.
Right, wings. I work on engines so my potato brain immediately goes to welding over sealant. Our thing is dunking the fastener in sealant, shoving it in the hole, and going "fuck it, ain't on fire therefore it ain't my problem."
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
Ambient air pressure in flight is lower outside the fairing than in (thanks to Bernoulli) and once the head is loose, drag is trying to pull them out too. All the active forces in the system are working the fasteners out, not pushing them in.
Only thing holding these guys in the hole is whatever grip the nutplates still have on them.
Your comment or post has been automatically removed from /r/aviation. Posts/Comments from new accounts are automatically removed by our automated systems. We, and many other large subreddits, do this to combat spam, spambots, and other activities that are not condusive to the sub. In the meantime, participate on Reddit to build your acouunt age and this restriction will go away. Also, please familiarize yourself with this subreddit's rules, which you can find in the sidebar or by clicking this link. Do not contact the moderation team unless you feel you have received this message/action in error. We will not manually approve comments or posts from new accounts.
It's not a great look but it is only a fairing. Non structural aerodynamic piece to reduce drag. The concern would be if they're skimping on this what else are they letting slide?
Is it concerning that it seems to have been welded on, only for the weld to crack? I mean, it looks like a quick fix to a recurring problem that didn’t work, indicating a lazy attitude towards safety standards. Or is it supposed to be like that?
If they were welded on we wouldn't need screws, now. That's just sealant between fairing sections that's been painted over, keeps schmuck from getting in the gaps.
This is what I thought. This specifically looks non critical to me but might be indicative of the condition of the rest of the plane including critical systems.
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
Yeah losing something like a flap canoe is nbd. But later in the video there are a couple loose on the top of the wing there, right next to what’s probably the edge of the aileron. No skin’s coming off the wing but wouldn’t want anything even remotely loose next to the aileron there where it could bind and restrict a flight control. I bet they sit right down on the ground and look fine so hopefully the pilot can get a copy of the vid to mx and have them check and tighten those specific ones.
My first flight we were doing walk around checks and the instructor said "this is the time to look for any lose or missing screws..." I said "like that one?" and pointed to a hole that was clearly missing a screw and he just said "eh except that one, that's fine." lol.
The portion pointing back is just stream lining, those are known as ‘canoes’ and house the flap operating apparatus. The airplane can and is certified to fly missing those pieces, the fuel efficiency takes a small hit without them. You should bring attention to it tho, especially the screws on the aft flaps, all these should be caught during inspections.
Honestly, just ask for an adult beverage and let it go. Not much can be done in flight. Once ya land, mention it on the way out the door. If you don’t make it, I guess there was nothing you could have done anyway. Flown way too many times to care a whole lot.
That spot, not too big of a deal. The problem is that if something so visible was put together that sloppily, what’s wrong behind panels and inside the engine nacelles?
Start by contacting your local FSDO and send them this video with details like carrier, date, time, flight, etc. If this is a problem, they will know, and you will be an unsung hero to us all.
Anyone remember ghat Twilight Zone episode where a guy had a window seat and he looked out side and there was this creature on the wing. No one believed him, he was losing his shit on the plane. And when they landed the creature had tore up the plane and people were like..what happend to the wing of the plane...it was that damn creature!!
Rivets don't compress like bolts or screws but have a greater sheer resistance. As long as they stay in place it's not likely to unfasten but it should be maintenanced
If that fairing fell off, it’s not a life threatening event. The problem is the maintenance mindset that allowed that fairing to be so loose. Those are the bolts you see.. There are thousands of others, some very important, that you don’t.
I’m surprised there aren’t more comments about it being potentially fake. Maybe there’s just some smoothing/editing going on but the whole video felt very surreal. Also that the camera seems to be able to zoom in and get quite a bit of detail…maybe my phone’s camera is just crappy though lol.
Huh. I had a task card recently to check the screws on that exact fairing. Different company of course. But those ones, specifically the closest to the body, are right behind the engines on a 737. So they need a lil extra love or else they'll go bye bye
Now I'm not an aviation anything, let alone an expert, but I feel like those should be rivets not Philips head screws... my 15 john boat was riveted...
Person filming to stewardess: "That wing looks like it's about to fall off in mid-air, alert the pilot STAT!". Stewardess, "Don't worry, our pilots are used to just winging-it"
Your comment or post has been automatically removed from /r/aviation. Posts/Comments from new accounts are automatically removed by our automated systems. We, and many other large subreddits, do this to combat spam, spambots, and other activities that are not condusive to the sub. In the meantime, participate on Reddit to build your acouunt age and this restriction will go away. Also, please familiarize yourself with this subreddit's rules, which you can find in the sidebar or by clicking this link. Do not contact the moderation team unless you feel you have received this message/action in error. We will not manually approve comments or posts from new accounts.
This part serves purely aerodynamic purposes. If it were to fall off, it would be more dangerous for people on the ground where it lands than for the plane itself; the plane would simply continue on to its destination.
Er bare rent aerodynamisk nytteverdi av denne delen. Ramla den av er det farligere for folk på bakken der den kommer ned en for flyet, den fortsetter bare til destinasjonen sin.
Lion Air, a low-cost airline based in Indonesia. How old is that jet? Lion Air has a history of acquiring used aircraft from other airlines. While the airline is now famous for massive orders of brand-new jets from Boeing and Airbus, its development has included several second-hand acquisitions.
People are rightfully pointing out that this is a non-essential part, but couldn't a screw coming loose mid-flight potentially hit something that is essential? I wouldn't want a sharp piece of metal to be inadvertently launched into a window for example.
One screw? Not that much. One screw, two screw, three screw you screwed. Each missing screw puts more stress on the others, allows wiggle room that can lead to stress fractures in other screw holes that can tear and cause premature metal fatigue and failure. Each screw was deemed necessary to distribute the load. Believe me, if Boeing or AirBus could save the the cost of one screw the would.
My best friend's dad was in the Air Nat'l Guard for a while, and made transatlantic flights on C130s. Said their in-flight entertainment was watching rivets turn in the deck.
Up to 0:14 - not a big problem
After that - bigger problem
I would have told the crew so they can have maintenance fix it for the next flight. And also express after the flight that a maintenance schedule where something like this is possible doesn't align with your expectation of the airline. They might give you some freebies to calm you down, but honestly I'd do it more for them to really get that this is serious. And then still not fly with them again.
I used to clean airplanes and I remember seeing mechanics tightening screws with just their fingers, not even bothering to use the screwdriver that was in the bag right next to them
Pretty sure that's just a cowling. If it was anything structural or important I wouldn't be using screws. It'd probably be riveted or something would not bolted maybe
I was on some kind of smaller commuter-type flight some years ago where I was seated with a good view out the window of one of the landing gear (I'm not in aviation and I have no idea what kind of plane it was). When we took off, I looked over and noticed that there was a little smoke that came off the wheel. I kind of shrugged it off as probably typical and the flight was uneventful. Then, when we landed, I was watching again and not only did it smoke, it also caught fire and one (?) of the tires started shredding. No one else seemed to notice and we taxied to where we were getting out just fine, somehow (this was many years ago and my memory is hazy). I mentioned it to one of the crew on the way out of the plane. Have no idea what happened after that.
Years ago on my first ever flight I saw this happening around the engine with oil running out of one of the screws I called the hostess and she told me not to worry!!!
Needless to say I did worry but we landed safely.
Screws not tightened down properly on an aerodynamic fairing isn’t a big concern. Bigger concern is the lack of care and proper workmanship from whoever put it on… they might have the same approach when working on something that matters.
The second spot is on the flap, but at the trailing edge the negative pressure generated by the upper surface of the wing isn't as strong so the skin shouldn't have a particularly large force on it upwards or aftwards except takeoff and landing. Landing will be harder on this but it should be fine. Looks like only a couple screws and they have more than they strictly need for this reason. The other spot is just an aero cover for the flap mechanism and it falling off would only add a bit of drag. Still dangerous for people on the ground or if not taken care of and you should show a crewmember to make sure the maintenance crew finds out.
It will be ok, but by the black residue around these screws, they have been loose for a while. They should have been noticed and fixed by now.
If they were to completely fallout and that panel were to fly off and somehow get sucked into the engine, you still would have a very high chance of landing safely.
Hope you were safe. This seem pretty bad. Tag the airline and also report to the aviation authorities of your country.
Also who uses Phillips head screws.
While not a great look (you're posting this due to being concerned/anxious, which is never what a pilot/airline wants their passengers to feel), it's not structurally going to impact your flight AKA you are safe.
Do raise it to a flight attendant or the employee at the gate when exciting however as maintenance ought to do a check.
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
I was on a small commercial jet, I looked out the window and saw oil running down the engine cowl. I watched for a while then called the fa, he looked out the window and then went up to the cockpit. Pretty soon the oil stopped and then I was really feeling worried. Fortunately nothing happened and I got to my destination unscathed.
This thread gives me some vindication. Saw something similar out the window with a bunch of screws visibly moving around and my wife didn't want me to tell the flight attendant but I did.
Pilots here, when you are in training, is there a section/class that trains you in things that can fall of and not be a big deal vs things that are a big deal if the fall off?
anything falling off a plane in flight could be a danger. while this is an extra aerodynamic feature to help cover the mechanical parts underneath it shouldn't case too many issues if it fell off. it's on the trailing edge, so notuch chance it ends up in the engine...I guess it could always damage the aft end flying surfaces. the biggest danger though it that thing falling on unsuspecting people and property on the ground.....so many not a huge risk in the air, a lot of risk on the ground. best to still tell someone on the flight/ground asap.
If a panal or two falls off you should still be fine, it will not compromise the integrity of the airframe, but if to many panels fall of because of the lose screws, you may produce less lift.
There is a whole lot of fasteners on aircraft that rattle while in flight. This is why great many fasteners have some kind of safety wires/clip/etc to prevent them from undoing themselves. That play has limits and they are never zero-there is always some play allowed for flex and spread of mechanical forces.
Here is an analogy to bridges -if bridge was made rigid it would be destroyed in short order. If it's made not flexible enough bridge will be damaged eventually by low temperature,mechanical forces generated during overload or any number of random causes.
Those are not screws. I forget the correct name for those type of fasteners but they lock and unlock with a push in and a quarter/90% turn. The spring those come with are not very strong and the tolerances can be wide. That allows them to move around a bunch.
20 years ago I used work planes and helicopters, but not that frame.
That is a flap track fairing, providing aerodynamic protection to the mechanical components which move the wing's trailing edges to move when taking off or landing. They are not structural, just aerodynamic.
At first, I saw the broken weld and the shaking screws and I was like oh shit this is actually a problem. Then I saw it was on a flap fairing. I mean it’s not the way it should be but if that fell off, it’s really not gonna be a problem.
By itself its nothing. But it also means that the plane is maintained either by idiots or in a location where they can’t do it properly, and that is concerning.
If you don't want the fairing to fly off, it's pretty concerning since loose screws are absorbing shear and can fail, but it's just an aerodynamic cover for the rails, on which the flaps are sliding. If it was ripped off, it would mean more drag, higher fuel consumption, but wouldn't be catastrophic. Unless it hits the horizontal stabilizer while passing it. Even in that scenario, I doubt it would cause fatal damage, since leading edges are not made out of sheet metal like the fairing and the hydraulic lines are buried deep enough, not to be bothered by this. I would be nervous watching this though. NGL.
I’ve seen this video before, a person with more experience said it’s a fairing and while that is concerning it presents no real risk to the flight. I believe another mechanic came in and said that should be flagged for maintenance and he’d just fix the screws and add some speed tape and send it on its way to be fixed the next time it is due for maintenance.
Worst case scenario, the fairing (actually a radome) flies off, hits the horizontal stabilizer, fragments, then jams up your elevator, throwing the aircraft into a nose dive to your eventual fiery end.
In reality, it’ll hold on and if not, it’ll just be a DOPP in some farmer’s field. I wouldn’t worry too much, but do mention it to the flight attendant.
You always mention this stuff to staff on the flight.
But, honestly, I've flown in dozens of countries, and on smaller regional flights in poorer countries, it's not surprising. Context is important. Where is this?
Like, if I saw this on one of my regional flights in Viet Nam, like when we flew from Saigon to Da Nang, I wouldn't have been surprised. There were buildings in both cities that looked far worse than this. Large buildings.
But, if everything looks new as it did on those flights, and I saw this, I'd be concerned because that doesn't look new or well taken care of. I'm assuming the rest of that plane looked as beaten up, maybe clean but beaten up, as what I see in that picture.
It's all about context. If everything inside and out looks poorly maintained, why did you get on that plane? No choice? Well, you took the risk.
All that being said, you tell them if something looks like it's about to fall off, because you trusted them and took that risk. You have to trust them to fix it. Anybody else who does, you don't want to end up dead because you didn't say anything.
If they just kind of blow it off and say it's all good, then maybe your trust in them was misplaced and you shouldn't fly with them again?
The first screw on the fairing is already missing/flown off so it's highly likely others will follow suit eventually if unchecked. You also notice that the gap/crack is wider on the faring where the missing screw is .. so there is significant sheer force on it.
What appears more concerning to me is the loose screw around the 0:20 second mark is directly on the wing surface and not faring. That would be more of an issue no?
This brings back a memory. In 1979 I was stationed in Okinawa. A planeload of service men and women on Flying Tigers Airline (At the time their claim to fame was “the world’s largest cargo airline) I was seated over the wing. Every rivet in the wing was doing this! I was very happy to get off the plane in Okinawa!
Is in need of new nut plates and check for chafing on bones area of nut plate. Repair of out of limit fastener holes ( carbon fiber plies to reinforce those oversized holes) . It's evident there was no sealant to bond the tail cones to the aft flap. Not serious to the integrity of the aircrafts performance, but to the performance of the structures aerodynamics of limiting drag. If any errors please come in and correct. Have a good day.
Composite Tech, Aircraft Mechanic, Structures mechanic for 13 so years of experience.
Not very but it's not great. It's not threatening the safety of the aircraft but still if something comes off it could damage or even kill people on the ground.
Here's a tip.... if you have time to take a picture, upload it to the internet and ask if it'll be a problem it's not. Because if it's something that will cause the plane to crash, it'll happen so fast you wouldn't have time to do any of that.
When a fastener works its way loose, you can only really re fasten it once or twice. The vibrations working on large area flat panels are such that the fasteners work loose and then grinds away to render the original holes too large for a tight fit. Different manufacturers have specifications and instructions on how to remedy it. You cannot just retighten it over and over and hope for the best. But the pictures suggest urgent remedial action is warranted.
Not at all concerning as long it’s after engine inlet. You’re good. If it’s before engine inlet. You may raise a concern but they’d probably put in mechanics work order request
I wouldn't be worried about crashing or whatever but that first part looks like shit. The weld is cracked all the way around and looks like every one of those screws/bolts is loose. Seems like a hazard for people on the ground more than anything.
It’s just a crappy applied bead of sealant that’s been painted over years ago. That fairing is probably been on and off 100 times since that sealant was first applied.
Don't freak out now, but......this is so funny. I've seen way way worse...as in screw heads glued in to more than 50% of the hardware on wing panels. If that fairing fell off, it wouldn't be the worst that's happened.
Not at all, considering the number of those that are on the entire airplane. If it was the one right behind it though, the wing would come off and you'd be dead!
The screw missing is concerning mainly because it makes me question the overall maintenance and if they might be missing something bigger. Overall it isn’t a good look not because it is necessarily dangerous, but because it brings into question how relaxed their maintenance may be. It’s not that hard to tighten/replace screws. I hope they are tightening/replacing bolts.
It’s an aerodynamic fairing. If the piece fell off the plane would burn ~0.1% more fuel. Most crews used in aviation have some sort of retention mechanism so they are very unlikely to fully come undone.
No they will back all the way out. Look closely there’s one already missing. The nut plates do have a friction torque feature, but these obviously are worn out.
Remember to have the wisdom to know the difference. In this case, there is nothing that OP can do to fix the problem during the flight, but OP can notify the crew so that maintenance can fix it for subsequent flights.
A plane can suffer A LOT before it falls out of the sky. The roof could rip off the panels can rip off the wings. It can be full of holes. As long as one engine works and the the wings are more or less in tact. Its fine.
The most concerning thing I could possibly think of happening would be if that back fairing fell off midflight and damaged something important behind it like a stabilizer, that would be very unlikely though. I've flown on planes that had that exact fairing completely removed, likely ground crew noticed a similar issue and took it off as precaution. Individual screws coming out is really nothing to be concerned about though. If you let a flight attendant know they'll notify ground grew upon arrival.
BeltnBrace@reddit
If anyone sees anything remotely like this on an operational aircraft,
SPEAK UP.
In the meantime, look up the incident regarding the soon-to-be-doomed mass casualty Comet plane.
A passenger boarding the aircraft noticed loose pop rivets in the fuselage, but she didn't say anything about what she saw.
Tragically, a few flights later, that aircraft crashed, killing everyone on board.
None of us - don’t be that person ... Speak up!
De Havilland Comet - Wikipedia
sLXonix@reddit
Whoever was on this flight, don't be afraid to discreetly bring it up to a flight attendant or pilot after the flight. That way they can flag it with maintenance for review
Sea_Recover3486@reddit
Imagining a less discrete mention…
“HOLY FUCK ARE THOSE SCREWS ON THE WING LOOSE??”
5up3rK4m16uru@reddit
"OH GOD, WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!!! Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..."
Simple-Aspect-649@reddit
Don't forget to quote Pulp Fiction.
bluehangover@reddit
BRING OUT THE GIMP!!!!!
digital-didgeridoo@reddit
Zed's dead, baby. Zed's dead
kilofeet@reddit
Let's not kink shame Delta basic economy
jtr99@reddit
Gimp's sleepin'.
discgman@reddit
Well wake him up
AssRobots@reddit
"The maintenance Gimp is sleeping."
CodifiedLikeUtil@reddit
There's a meme circulating that indicates Hegseth thinks he's Jules but he's actually the gimp and... I'm dead
IVShadowed@reddit
Hegseth 101
Plane-Fan9006@reddit
That IS a tasty burger!!!
DonnieBallsack@reddit
That’s a tasty burger?
Kdj2j2@reddit
They call it a Le Royale
seoulgleaux@reddit
It's "royale with cheese" and "le big mac".
Comfortable-Deal160@reddit
What does Marcellus Wallace look like?
I_LAUGH_AT_TYRANNY@reddit
Stu-Gotz@reddit
Le royale with cheese
I_LAUGH_AT_TYRANNY@reddit
Big Kahuna burger
WhineyLobster@reddit
Donnie you're out of your element.
melanthius@reddit
Everybody be cool this is a robbery!
... Shit I'm being detained
iambarrelrider@reddit
Nobody's gonna hurt anybody. We're gonna be like three little Fonzies here
trinicron@reddit
Wh..Wh.. what?
longlivebobskins@reddit
They speak English in what?
harbinger-nz@reddit
Any of you fuckin bitch move, and I'll execute every last mother fuckin one of you
Rootbeer_Goat@reddit
Be cool honey bunny
Molbiodude@reddit
Tell the bitch to chill!
OctaviusNeon@reddit
Say "bitch, be cool!"
bolshiabarmalay@reddit
I gotta pee
Mutex70@reddit
Can we make spoons?
Stu-Gotz@reddit
Be cool!
Fortunate_0nesy@reddit
Be cool honey bunny.
Working-Ad694@reddit
you cool honey bunny?
EarthenEyes@reddit
"'m tired of these muther fucking shar-"
DesiccatedPenguin@reddit
Mmmm…this is one tasty burger.
Interesting-Loquat75@reddit
Tell your bitch to be cool!!
Southside_john@reddit
“This es uh rubbery”
broke_af_guy@reddit
Heard that in Tim Roth's voice.
eXcaliBurst93@reddit
"I am here to chew bubblegum & kick ass & I'm all out of bubblegum"
wait wrong movie quote
dirtys_ot_special@reddit
The path of the righteous man is beset on the left wing by the inequities of the gremlins and the tyranny of loose screws.
Effective_Play_1366@reddit
I got Madonna’s big dick in this ear…oh wait, I’m mixing my drinks…
Ratiocinor@reddit
Pete Hegseth is that you?
Aggravating-Ad6786@reddit
Kegsbreath, you mean?
Aggravating-Ad6786@reddit
deanmc@reddit
Hopefully they have aircraft nuts on the other end😆
qwythebroken@reddit
Hey! He thought he was quoting the Hippocratic oath! Saying otherwise is blasphemy.
Otto_Maddox_@reddit
That's Mr. Secretary of War to you!
gunshaver@reddit
Pete "Whiskey leaks" Kegsbreath, the DUI hire?
Simple-Aspect-649@reddit
Yes... I mean no.
Superb-Preference-59@reddit
Read this in colin jost's pete hegseth voice
Gold_Tap_2205@reddit
Simple....that tracks.
r_cee_1@reddit
That is Hegseth's job, please look it up if you haven't seen.
Public_Jellyfish8002@reddit
Yeah! Get your verses right! Agreed!
ExactCharacter8633@reddit
Take it away, Mr. Hegseth
69surprisebaby@reddit
What?
Wus10n@reddit
Englsh motherfucker! Do! You! Speak! It!
HBCDresdenEsquire@reddit
Nah man. I’m pretty fuckin far from ok.
Fubai97b@reddit
*running up and down the aisle* ZED'S DEAD! ZED'S FUCKING DEAD!
HistoricalSuspect580@reddit
what do you think this is? A prayer, led by a powerful government official, with active duty service members!?!?
OldWestern7705@reddit
What ain’t no country I ever heard of
Stu-Gotz@reddit
Say what again, i dare you.
Outrageous_Ad3190@reddit
“We should be fucking dead right now?”
boulevardpaleale@reddit
Are you talking to me about drug shit, on a cell phone?!
evanshmevann@reddit
Zed’s dead baby. Zed’s dead.
Silo-Joe@reddit
Yes, we want the mechanics to be the Finder of Lost Screws.
BullshitTaco@reddit
Death will give us back to God
Firm_Sundae_7898@reddit
Sir, this is an airborne Wendy’s
Rabbit_of_Caerbanog@reddit
As he bails into the valley of darkness.....
Ok_Shoulder_9492@reddit
I’M TIRED OF THESE MF SNAKES ON THIS…. Oh wrong movie
conansucksdick@reddit
What now? Let me tell you what now. I'ma call a coupla hard, pipe-hittin' n***ers, who'll go to work on the homes here with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. You hear me talkin', hillbilly boy? I ain't through with you by a damn sight. I'ma get medieval on your ass.
distantreplay@reddit
Or Fight Club!
Alternative-Iron-645@reddit
EZEKIEL 25 in-lbs
No-Frame9154@reddit
*WE ARE ALL GOING TO HELL
Give it a creative spin
devnullopinions@reddit
Probably best to pull out your laptop with a count down times in huge red numbers until the flight lands so everyone on board can see how much time is left.
titusnick270@reddit
lol this reminded me of a pretty bumpy flight I was on. It was a redeye and I leaned my head on the seat in front of me for 30 seconds idk why. But the lady next to me was freaking out about the turbulence. Admittedly, it was pretty bad but I fly a lot so nothing new to me.
She said “LOOK AT THAT GUY!! HES PRAYING MY GAWD” and she started praying under her breath 🤣
peophole@reddit
I thought his name was Howard.
Sea_Recover3486@reddit
ARE SCREWS SUPPOSED TO JIGGLE AROUND LIKE THAT? THEY LOOK PRETTY LOOSE
rake_leaves@reddit
Feel like Breakfast Club would be better to quote.”Screws fall out all of the time, the world's an imperfect place.”
Infra-Man777@reddit
Jerry! I cheated on the contest!
Uselesserinformation@reddit
This sounds like a disgusting breakdown.
Like whitechapel type shit
Magus_5@reddit
"OH FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER, EMBRACE YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT AND WRAP ME IN YOUR NOODLY APPENDAGES THAT I MAY SAFELY SEE GROUND AGAIN..."
soihavetosay@reddit
I had a dream the plane crashed... YOU were there
rabbith0le333@reddit
“THERE IS A WOMAN CHURNING BUTTER ON THE WING”
HAL1990@reddit
ALLAH HU AKHBARR
havoc1428@reddit
HALLOWED ARE THE ORI!!
HistoricalSuspect580@reddit
BOMB BA BOMB BOMB BOMB!
geocapital@reddit
There must be an inflatable boat somewhere in the plane.
grepmew@reddit
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AutoModerator@reddit
Your comment or post has been automatically removed from /r/aviation. Posts/Comments from new accounts are automatically removed by our automated systems. We, and many other large subreddits, do this to combat spam, spambots, and other activities that are not condusive to the sub. In the meantime, participate on Reddit to build your acouunt age and this restriction will go away. Also, please familiarize yourself with this subreddit's rules, which you can find in the sidebar or by clicking this link. Do not contact the moderation team unless you feel you have received this message/action in error. We will not manually approve comments or posts from new accounts.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Weary-Bookkeeper-375@reddit
“THERE’S A COLONIAL WOMAN ON THE WING. SHE’S CHURNING BUTTER!”
left_lane_camper@reddit
I was on a budget flight between two cities in Colombia and a large portion of the passengers had never flown before. People heard the flaps retract and were screaming and loudly praying. This was a smooth flight on a brand-new A320.
NotRightRabbit@reddit
Just imagine if they did that in Arabic!
Kost_Gefernon@reddit
“THIS PLANE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE ANY PHALANGES!!!”
krawlspace-@reddit
GreenPutty_@reddit
The first time I ever flew we went through a storm and that episode was all I could think of, the window blind stayed down!
RaggedyMan666@reddit
The gremlin in the eighties version was terrifying.
Robby777777@reddit
I just watched that a couple days ago. I forgot how good that episode was. Shatner was really awesome in it.
sluttysarah2467@reddit
The twilight zone my favorite !
Ill_Refrigerator_593@reddit
It happens more than you think-
https://youtu.be/gTNOihQnqVQ
bwalrus0202@reddit
Came here for this. Thank you, am now satisfied.
ttystikk@reddit
Epic William Shatner!
heridfel37@reddit
Necessary_Builder396@reddit
Mate you make me laugh so hard! My god! My wife is so angry with me right now. But totally worth it!
SkyeRyder91@reddit
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LEFT PHALANGE!!
PracticalShoulder916@reddit
Don't be silly, it doesn't even have a phalange!
2099AD@reddit
Oh my god. THIS PLANE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A PHALANGE!
security-six@reddit
One of my all time favorite responses
MTBENDURO12@reddit
This is gold haha
EntertainerBig882@reddit
Nope. Pretty sure those are loose bolts, not screws.
1000LivesBeforeIDie@reddit
HOLY FUCK IS THAT SCREW ON THE WING MISSING
BTBAM797@reddit
Hey everybody. Nobody panic but our wing is falling off. Just thought I'd let you know.
Apexnanoman@reddit
"OH SHIT! PART OF THE WING IS FALLING OFF!" "Is that bad?"
ProtoPrimeX1@reddit
We're Dead! We're All Dead!
Crazy_Low_8079@reddit
The screw on the leading edge is not there either.
Demonokuma@reddit
I didnt know screws moved around that much. Maybe its thats giant looking crack next to them? Then you start asking the other passangers.
Write a text message to your wife or whoever, telling them you might not make it. Then ask the person sitting next to you if the message addresses the issue on the wing.
p8nt_junkie@reddit
My MIL, everyone
KILO-XO@reddit
This thread got me on the floor
ILoveBigCoffeeCups@reddit
Something wrong with the phelangee
Daitheflu1979@reddit
The Falanges are broken!!!
No-Improvement-1507@reddit
Shane... They bought their ticket. They knew what they were getting into! I say, let em crash!
sunburn74@reddit
One of the screws is completely missing...
seppukucoconuts@reddit
Ok-Skill9276@reddit
Hahahahaha WERE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!!!!
WhineyLobster@reddit
Some are just missing....
Sad-Newt-1772@reddit
The left phalange is loose!
cblackwe93@reddit
THERE IS A COLONIAL WOMAN ON THE WING. THERE IS SOMETHING THEY'RE NOT TELLING US. SHE WAS OUT THERE CHURNING BUTTER.
Pete-PDX@reddit
and the one at the top is missing
milkman819@reddit
AND IS THAT A CRACKED WELD? ARE WE ALL GONNA DIE?
Choice-Strawberry-74@reddit
😂😂
DaggerHeartGM@reddit
Hey at least most of them are there, right next to the open seam.
PolyglotTV@reddit
The appropriate response
ExpiredPilot@reddit
rock-my-socks@reddit
"There's something wrong with the left phalange!"
TheGreatKonaKing@reddit
Can't hear ya! Something something LOOSE? You're asking if the flight crew's LOOSE? You're gonna have to figure that out one for yourself buddy!
arnie580@reddit
"THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT FALANGE"
lazy_elfs@reddit
This.. tell them the fasteners are loose on the rear engine nacelle.. the maintenance people can drill and install those in about 20 min
ComfortableLetter989@reddit
I thought the nacelle was just on the Enterprise.
BullTerrierTerror@reddit
And Voyager, get with the program man.
TacTurtle@reddit
V'Ger
FrenchFryCattaneo@reddit
They use the word nacelle so much!
Hunter_Vertigo@reddit
already the Phoenix had two, no impulse drive but already Bussard collectors. That man sure had a prediction of future like no oneelse
Drapidrode@reddit
Airplanes wanted to be like starships for several years now.
TecTazz@reddit
Mid-flight?
No-Toe405@reddit
It's not on the nacelle. Its the inboard flap and aft pylon fairing
Logical_Preference_8@reddit
Not the nacelle, that’s a flap track fairing. The nutplates are broken but it’s not coming off. Those screws will have to be drilled out.
DaneAlaskaCruz@reddit
One time I was flying from Anchorage to someplace in rural Alaska on a smaller plane. I was by the wing and I noticed that one of the latches was not fully closed. One of those that says to press here and ensure it is flat and fully secured.
The entire 2 hr flight I nervously checked on it every so often to see if it was coming any closer.
It wasn't and we landed without any issues.
At the terminal, I saw one of the flight attendants and told her about a loose patch on the portside wing engine cowling.
She scoffed and looked at me like I was missing some screws.
So I said whatever and walked away to go pick up my checked luggage.
You would think flight crew would want to check things out when someone comes forward. But she didn't.
Didn't hear of any incidents with the plane so hopefully a mechanic saw the loose latch later on and secured it.
Big_Maintenance9387@reddit
One time my dad was taking my cousins for rides in his Cessna and one of my cousins was in the plane and the door flew open lol.
ChintzyPC@reddit
I think they have an opinion that the crews know exactly how everything should be done, and we're just dumb customers who aren't trained on anything so we don't know better. Either that or laziness.
Turbo_Normalized@reddit
I mean, that's kind of true.
Kichigai@reddit
I remember when I was fresh out of high school and throwing bags for Northwest. One day I'm out there and there's a latch hanging open on an engine, and I point it out to my lead. Flight was delayed 30 minutes as they ran a mechanic out to inspect it. Got a citation for attention to security and safety delivered by the GM for our area, and an article in the company newsletter.
Then again, this was less than five years after 9/11 and everyone was panicking about every little shadow.
bg-j38@reddit
Nowadays they'd probably fire you for delaying a flight and costing them money.
Turbo_Normalized@reddit
Why is completely pointless (and false) cynicism like this so popular?
llolwow@reddit
Yeah no this shit happens all the time. The people on that flight already paid and a 30 minute delay is nothing.
Kichigai@reddit
And risk trashing their reputation by having a plane crash? In an era when people can live stream the disaster from inside the airplane? Nobody wants the NTSB coming down on them like a ton of bricks. Delta, United, American, Jet Blue, Southwest, they're names people will remember and avoid.
Based on my lurking in /r/aviationmaintenance it's private planes you gotta look out for. The big boys take this stuff seriously.
bg-j38@reddit
I was mostly being facetious related to airlines trying to cut costs any place they could.
m_faustus@reddit
The number of people in Alaska who have been in a plane crash or who personally know someone who has been in a plane crash is shockingly high.
DaneAlaskaCruz@reddit
Yes. I've not been in one yet, but it is just a matter of time, given how much I fly for work. knocks on wood
A few years ago, a plane crashed in rural Alaska and it was the same plane I had booked for work. A few weeks prior, I changed my ticket to another flight because of prior personal commitments and scheduling. Didn't end up going on the trip because of the crash and because the airline went bankrupt.
Definitely unnerving how close I have been to being in an aviation disaster.
LoopyBunkin@reddit
Yup. Once noticed hydraulic fluid leaking out a cowling on a 737 and mentioned it to the PA when we landed. Said "thanks" but the look she gave me was definitely "fuck off twat"....
Stumpy_Dan23@reddit
"Let me know if it stops leaking. That's when it's a problem"
DaKakeIsALie@reddit
If it's leaking oil, it's still Got oil!
blackgoat2803@reddit
Have you owned a Land Rover as well?
omg_what_the_chuck@reddit
Just tow it beyond the environment.
Majestic_Dildocorn@reddit
I see you were on H60s too
ABadHistorian@reddit
No matter where you are, some people hate their job and the people they have to interact with.
Dinosaur_Ant@reddit
The shit they probably see on flights
Fun_Image_2307@reddit
And then you gave her a number to call right?
DaneAlaskaCruz@reddit
Yes, along with a garland of lei and a bouquet of roses.
DunnyOnTheWold@reddit
That's unfortunate. I was on a 737 once and on the inner edge of the aileron there was a strip of rubber that was hanging loose and getting caught in a way that looked like might inhibit the downward movement. It never did but I watched it nervously the whole flight.
At the end I told the flight attendant. She asked me to hold back a few minutes so I could explain it to someone from the cockpit. Then the pilot ask me to show them. I guess it depends on the person or company training/policy.
Ok_Lime4124@reddit
I’ve always relayed the info to my pilots. I’ve even had customers send their pictures or their videos to me and then I AirDrop them to the flight deck if we’re in flight because obviously they can’t come out unless they’re doing a bathroom break or something.
SQUAWKUCG@reddit
On a night flight back from a convention in Vegas we were in an older plane that looked like crap.
At one point an oily black liquid started leaking down the side of the plane from behind the overhead bins. We pointed it out to the flight attendant who just said "Well then just don't touch it" and stormed off apparently mad that we mentioned it.
Appropriate-Bird-354@reddit
She may have been hoping to reduce your concern / anxiety and chose a bad way to express it.
They're customer service staff, not technical staff. Their job is to make sure you have a good experience, and don't think they're a shitty fly-by-night airline which you just barely survived.
Maybe she immediately went and told the pilot or maintenance.
DaneAlaskaCruz@reddit
Maybe.
But the look on her face was the same look as when a pretty cheerleader gets approached by a dorky kid to ask her to homecoming.
Seems specific, but that was the exact look.
I was taken aback at her reaction as I wasn't hitting on her or telling her anything inappropriate.
I remember now that this was a flight from Anchorage to Homer.
She picked up her luggage and left the airport as I was picking up my rental car.
I don't think she talked to anyone else in the meantime, but maybe.
Euler007@reddit
Ask to take to the pilot or copilot next time. They're on the hooks for the checklists, the flight attendants are out of their depth.
RedHuey@reddit
Before 9/11, I told the waiting flight crew that there were at least five guys with pocket knives also waiting for the plane. The guy that was sitting across from me in the terminal was carving an apple (why I noticed).
They laughed at me. It’s a mindset that can’t see ahead and doesn’t care anyway. Eventually, it kills people.
Euphoric-Material192@reddit
the "discreetly" part is quite important.
Amazing-Gazelle-7735@reddit
Indeed! I flew this January and about half an hour from landing I noticed a flap (aileron? Idk) connection was loose, like literally that end wasn’t mounted to the plane. I kept relatively calm, told nobody until after we landed (not much they could do), and made sure to be one of the last people to disembark so I could show them a video of it.
There’s not a lot that can be done in a lot of cases. Better to not freak people out unnecessarily.
/my wife was not happy when I told her I sat there wondering if the plane would crash and I hadn’t warned her.
LadyOfVoices@reddit
One I saw one of those strips break loose and fly off, not long before landing. I told one of the flight attendants and she was like “oh things break off all the time”.
Not they don’t! 😭
shakebakelizard@reddit
Well...see...it may actually be a good idea to mention things like that to the crew in flight. That way if the control surfaces start acting funny, they know exactly what it is and can compensate accordingly. Also, they can make an emergency landing if needed instead of crashing into a field and killing everyone on board.
Turbo_Normalized@reddit
If a flap or aileron connection is legitimately lose, there is absolutely stuff the pilots can do to mitigate the problem. For example, if there's a problem with the flaps, they should not deploy them and they'll land flaps-up. As a pilot, if I saw a potential flight control issue, you're damn right I'm notifying the crew.
railker@reddit
Anything like this? > https://youtube.com/shorts/xHgrG_0I4kk
People see and flag that all the time around here. Flaps aren't mounted on the ends, but often are on a set of rails/tracks at like 1/3 and 2/3 down the span. And the unsupported ends, especially up close where they're behind the engine's turbulent exhaust, can move a fair bit.
Positive-Orange-6443@reddit
Why didn't you make me worry as well? Now i missed out on the worry! 🙄
Careless_Ad_4004@reddit
In the “Spirit” of keeping us all “United”? It’s got to be one of the two right.
Suitable_Wonder5256@reddit
"WHY AREN'T YOU WEARING SEATBELT SIR? YOU MUST WEAR IT NOW"
But when several screws are loose, please be discreet.
michael_bgood@reddit
What makes this even more horrifying is this is Thai Lion Air, a ghetto ass LCC in Southeast Asia. The LCC market is super competitive down there in the region and it's probably a race to the bottom in cutting maintenance costs.
It's only a matter of time until there's a news headline.
Similar_Rapier_7596@reddit
Yes, please tell the pilots! They probably don't want to die in a plane crash any more than you do.
Quick_Movie_5758@reddit
They have the maintenance vibe of a Congo RJ. A whole hanger full of speed tape and dreams.
octoreadit@reddit
Nah, hope is in shortage right now, globally. So just speed tape.
No_Aesthetic@reddit
I have bad news about the speed tape
CaptainLachrymose@reddit
Due to tariffs, speed tape was to be replaced with molasses, but since the widespread governmental implementation of AI, all they shipped was a large quantity of the hindquarters of mid-sized burrowing mammals.
DerFreudster@reddit
The corn farmers of America would like to point out that corn syrup can be an adequate replacement for molasses and nuts and bolts.
ABadHistorian@reddit
The rest of the world wants all Americans to STFU right now.
DueLingonberry3107@reddit
Corn farmer here, I can confirm
oroborus68@reddit
There was a guy promoting molasses as a building material in the Whole Earth Catalog about 1972.
Test-Tackles@reddit
Corn farmers of America after having lost their farms due to governmental incompetance lament that corn syrup may be too expensive now and suggest just
"pretending" that you went on vacation.
Romulan-Jedi@reddit
Whenever I cook with molasses, I always refer to it as "ass of mole."
safetyCircuit@reddit
That's why my mole ass stew was so sweet. Good to know.
Stormbringer-2112@reddit
You meant A1 sauce, right?
Hughezzzz@reddit
Dafuq are you smoking bro🤣
hooligan333@reddit
mole asses
Hughezzzz@reddit
I get the joke but still😂
Putrid-Tap3992@reddit
Did you though
Optimal_Anxiety6864@reddit
Hugh G Knuts
Tommy84@reddit
Not smoking anything; unfortunately it’s in short supply.
TigerIll6480@reddit
Come to Missouri, we have plenty.
Pleasant-Act-1347@reddit
The lord of Green giveth and the lord of Green taketh away, brother.
No_Aesthetic@reddit
Got it bad over there
The__General__@reddit
Whatever it is, I need some…
whodidntante@reddit
And did bro bring enough to share?
rothrolan@reddit
The joke is that the AI read "molasses" as "mole asses", poking at the flaws of inserting poorly unoptimized software to control critical infrastructure of a company. Yet companies keep dumping millions into its development and replacing experienced and even certified workers with AI slop in order to have to pay less actual workers.
TigerIll6480@reddit
I laughed far harder than I should have;
Kichigai@reddit
They let Claude run the vending machine again?
Ass_burgers_yum@reddit
Wit… I thought we were using bubblegum. The molasses was getting brittle at altitude.
SleestackMcGee@reddit
Again?
spavolka@reddit
I have aluminum HVAC tape at the house. You want me to run it over?
No_Aesthetic@reddit
Yeah sure why not
Make sure to slather it in lube from the sex shop
Weary-Stick-3010@reddit
That made me legit snort
noelstrom@reddit
Dammit. Take my upvote.
Pretend-Guava@reddit
Speed tape is super expensive, they went to gorilla tape instead.
TheAgedProfessor@reddit
Pretty sure they're sparing no expense and went right to Liquid Paper.
Fearless-Molasses963@reddit
Much better than the other way around!!!
divergentONE@reddit
this comment summarizes so many fields right now
TUR7L3@reddit
And soon, the speed tape too will run dry
Quick_Movie_5758@reddit
Okay, replace hope with, unopened spools of safety wire.
BamberGasgroin@reddit
LOT Airlines in the 80's.
Was mildly concerned on entering the aircraft that the flashing around the cabin door was missing many rivets and hanging off, but thought "I'm sure it's fine." But after sitting through the safety announcement I discovered that my seatbelt wasn't actually attached at one end.
Luckily however, I was sitting at the rear of the plane and it only took me a few moments to find the screw that had fallen out on the floor and reattach it, finger tight. (Gave it a slap and thought "that's good enough for another 1000 miles!")
havoc1428@reddit
The hanger itself is also made of speed tape and hope
That70sShop@reddit
Speed tape would be safer and more aerodynamic
swift1883@reddit
Speed tape is the good tape. The good tape is in the safe.
Quick_Movie_5758@reddit
I read this as, we only open the good tape when we have guests over.
ValuableOven734@reddit
But if the screw falls off the speed holes work better?
Patruck9@reddit
It's not 3 speedtape. It's 15,000.
OptimisticRealist__@reddit
Well, its the hope that kills ya
Very_Curious_Cat@reddit
Is this discreet enough:
Miss, I fear we're all properly screwed.
Why?
Because our wing isn't.
memostothefuture@reddit
Call the local evening news, sell the footage for maybe $200. They will milk it in a way that will cause the airline to fix that asap.
Great_Address2063@reddit
Then take that $200 and short the stock of the airline before the footage airs, boom turn that $200 into $20k.
I should be in government
Blondiekathleen@reddit
You should definitely run for president. Or at least for Congress.
Jaxcat_21@reddit
Donnie...is that you?
raitchison@reddit
Even better short Boeing, even better it doesn't matter if it's a Boeing aircraft.
Exact-Relative4755@reddit
It's Lion Air. No one will pay $200 nor will anyone care.
AggravatingLeg2782@reddit
I noticed a rag trapped in the slats on the right wing, took a video and when I was deplaning spoke to the captain and airdropped the video to him. He was very grateful
richard0cs@reddit
Whilst this particular thing isn't at all serious, sometimes passengers notice things that do matter. A passenger on Aloha 243 saw a large crack when boarding and apparently didn't think much of it until afterwards.
No_Opening_2425@reddit
I mean it's a Boeing. A few lose screws is expected
Suitable_Wonder5256@reddit
"don't be afraid to discreetly bring it up"
Then, when I didn't put my seatbelt on, the flight attendant made it out like I was the biggest asshole on the planet and would definitely die.
When several screws look loose, "please bring it up discreetly after the plane land. PLEASE BE DISCREET".
-Ernie@reddit
This was from 6 months ago, link below includes a statement from the airline.
https://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/comments/1od6d8k/is_this_safe/?rdt=35622
abnrib@reddit
In the pre-9/11 days I knew a guy who sent a note to the pilot mid-flight that read: "My name is X, I'm an aerospace engineer at Boeing, I'm in seat Y. I'd like you to know that I can see fuel leaking from the wing."
Believe it or not, it was favorably received.
relativityboy@reddit
Lion Air. Perfectly safe travel if you're a gryphon.
sunny_yay@reddit
It’s good for a few more rides
-said the maintenance worker a few rides ago
nixplix@reddit
Those ( failed ) welds look like shit !!
badass4102@reddit
The worst they can do is laugh at you. When I was like 14 years old we were one of the first to board and when I was putting my bag in the overhead compartment and noticed a bag already there, a little black duffel bag. I told the flight attendant and they said it was the first-aid kit.
SocietyGreat316@reddit
So long as the plane doesn't crash.
Triggerz777@reddit
Can confirm we replace those and it's hard to spot them if we don't know they are vibrating like that
Xuxo9@reddit
They can flag it IF they land on a non violent manner.
pale-ivy@reddit
Yes but don’t be surprised when they don’t give a shit. Having pointed out obvious issues in the past and gotten very annoyed and passive responses.
southass@reddit
Discreetly? I would be freaking out right there!
No-Contribution1070@reddit
Fuck that, why are they putting people's lives at risk like that?
Quietly? No, I'm sueing their asses if I was on that flight.
bjornb77@reddit
Nonsens, a few screws for a cover sheet are loose, and?
GamingGenius777@reddit
Dude, it's loose fasteners on an aesthetic/aerodynamic cover for the flap track. It's not a critical part of the airplane. If that actually fell off, what do you think would happen to the aircraft? Nothing.
What about the other set of fasteners in the video? Two are a little loose; three are fine. I think that they hold the wing skin to the internal structure, but I'm not sure. I guarantee it is not going to cause damage if those two come out. Remember that we're talking about an aircraft here; half of those fasteners are probably there just for redundancy.
And how are people's lives at risk? Maybe if the flap track fairing actually disconnects and falls to the ground and hits someone in the head?
But look at the beginning of the video; the fasteners on the side are not loose. What about the ones on the other side and the bottom? I wouldn't call this negligence.
How are you going to check for loose fasteners like that anyway? And on top of the wing too? Do you expect them to get ladders and walk on the wing?
This is the reason why they said to mention this discreetly. Because people who don't know if that's dangerous or not will overreact and freak out. The correct action is to make sure that the flight crew is alerted so they can tell maintenance, who will fix the issue.
If you took a taxi and the rear bumper of the car fell off halfway through the trip, would you try to sue the company for negligence?
redit_on_the_shitter@reddit
Suing for what damage?
No-Contribution1070@reddit
Negligence
Significant_Cow4765@reddit
receipt for what this cost you = damages
No-Contribution1070@reddit
Emotional and psycological.
Significant_Cow4765@reddit
how much has your dx, treatment cost? what is your dx? missed work? how much do you make?
Sasquatch-d@reddit
Lmao nobody’s life is at risk on that flight. A couple fasteners being loose isn’t dangerous at all. Just let the crew know what you saw and they’ll take care of it with maintenance.
No-Contribution1070@reddit
Amazing! Let's set the bar low for the airlines and don't hold them accountable.
The checks and maintenance should have been DONE before the flight. This is why we have plane crashes, cheap ass airlines trying to save money on maintenance and putting people's lives at risk.
Sasquatch-d@reddit
Maintenance doesn’t check every single fastener prior to every flight so I don’t know what you’re talking about.
It’s not common but fasteners can become slightly loose and wiggle when the aircraft is in flight due to the aerodynamic flow. It’s not a dangerous situation, there’s a reason there are hundreds of them.
You can listen to me, an airline pilot, and be reassured this situation is okay, or you can continue on your uneducated breakout and keep believing you’re right even when an expert is telling you you’re wrong.
AppMtb@reddit
Sir this is Reddit, that guy was on a plane 3 times back in 2015 he knows more than you!
Hopeful-Session-7216@reddit
B777X_787-9@reddit
Is a fairing component
Icy-Banana-3291@reddit
I’ve done this before. No idea if they actually tightened anything. It seems fairly common.
sdavids5670@reddit
As long as the plane still has its phalange everything is fine
riptaway@reddit
Probably won't cause a crash immediately, but I wouldn't love the fact that their inspections and QA are so poor
KrangelDisturbed@reddit
A little bit of duck tape and you're good to go.
1Crownedngroovd@reddit
No way bro. Aviation professionals use metalic speed tape. Duct tape is strictly bush league
broadarrow39@reddit
But it's $50,000 a roll...
spin-city@reddit
Actually it’s about $4,000,000 a roll
I_GottaPoop@reddit
That's why I use double-bubble to keep my loose panel fasteners in place. QA can't tell they're not installed correctly until they try to remove them.
1Crownedngroovd@reddit
Double bubble is ok, but the pros I know claim Bazooka has superior adhesion and flexibilty, plus they used to include a cool little comic strip in every pack
Next-Preference-7927@reddit
It's not necessarily duct tape, it depends on which one you meant to say. Duck tape (fabric backed tape) pre-dates duct tape (silver for ducts).
(At first I didn't use a hyphen above, then I imagined the duck tape hunting duct tape)
ChanceSize9153@reddit
Your telling me the sticky side isn't duck juice that makes it sticky?
LordHammercyWeCooked@reddit
You were right the first time. It was called duck tape because it's backed with duck cloth or duck canvas.
Of course at this point "duct tape" is also valid because it was mistakenly called that by so many people. If someone really wanted to be pedantic about it, they'd only refer to heat-resistant metallic tape as 'duct tape' because normal duck tape melts when applied to heating ducts.
wolfishlygrinning@reddit
It actually started as duck tape - it was made from cotton duck cloth. Now both are correct
No-Tonight7623@reddit
All the people who think they’re really smart and making funny of this commenter because they think its not called duck tape… Its called duck tape because it was originally made out of a type of cloth called duck cloth. The name duct tape only came after as a eggcorn. Read a book guys.
MadBrown@reddit
Can confirm this works. Saw it in Major League.
ninj1nx@reddit
Is that tape that quacks?
Black_Koopa_Bro@reddit
Got any grapes? Waddle waddle
xnekocroutonx@reddit
Slap on that speed tape and it’s all good.
Luca__B@reddit
you mean this? https://imagerenderer.com/images/images-profile-flow/400/images/artworkimages/mediumlarge/3/3-duck-tape-will-bullas.jpg
winged_seduction@reddit
And if not, you didn’t use enough.
Left-Associate3911@reddit
This person knows 💪
hercdriver4665@reddit
Anything attached with screws isn’t structural.
Responsible_CDN_Duck@reddit
Many things essential to flight are held on with screws. The windshields in most aircraft are one example. British Airways Flight 5390
hercdriver4665@reddit
FYI and airplane can fly without windshields. It’s just wildly uncomfortable for the pilots.
TacTurtle@reddit
It is also wildly uncomfortable for the pilot outside the plane.
theemptydork@reddit
I think the airplane wont be able to land if the pilot flies independently.
Grand-Expression-783@reddit
He said structural, not essential.
SFDukie@reddit
Didn’t know about BA 5390. Wow.
TacTurtle@reddit
Like a MD-90 horizontal stabilizer trim?
Sadly_NotAPlatypus@reddit
KC-135s (and all C-135 variants) have structural floorboards held in with dozens of screws per board, at least two of which would fight coming out every board if I recall correctly. That plane is old as shit so I don't know about more modern planes, but at least some old ones absolutely do that
umibozu@reddit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_nut enters the chat
hercdriver4665@reddit
FYI nuts aren’t screws.
Also, jesus nuts are safety wired.
BigBlueMountainStar@reddit
That’s not necessarily true.
They may not be taking primary loads, but they may take secondary/aerodynamic loads.
Also, some manhole doors on the lower wing skins are attached with screws and some of them are load carrying, as in main wing bending loads.
GI-Robots-Alt@reddit
Primary loads are a lot bigger than secondary loads in my experience.
Mad_kat4@reddit
Aren't screws usually part of a 'belt and braces' fitment method where adhesive is also used on the underside of a skin and screws are used to aid clamping pressure. This is more a leftover from the bygone days of rivets and glue but it still somewhat applies today.
triggerfish1@reddit
I mean screws should always be used to clamp two parts together that then transmit a force through friction between the surfaces.
A screw/bolt is normally not meant to take loads along its axis.
BigBlueMountainStar@reddit
They do, on panels with high aerodynamic loads, the screws are acting in tension against the suction load from the aerodynamics
BigBlueMountainStar@reddit
Not always, as I said in my comment above, they are used for manhole doors or for secondary panel attachments, often closing panels along the front and rear edges of the wing for example, where you need to have a removeable panel but can’t access the back side of the screw.
Here, we’re not talking woodscrew, they’re very much similar to bolts, but they attach into anchor nuts on the other side of the panel.
Anchor nuts are usually held on using small rivets, so they’re not massively capable of taking particularly high loads in plane, they usually used more in cases where the load on the bolt is tension.
zerkji@reddit
I want a load, too!
Fun-Time9529@reddit
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
ts737@reddit
Can confirm, haven't got screwed in a while and I'm about to lose it
namast_eh@reddit
💀
PrometheusMMIV@reddit
Screws = not structural does not mean that not screws = structural
triple7freak1@reddit
takinie44@reddit
Perfect
SayNoToFresca@reddit
Heyooo!
Foo-Bar-Baz-001@reddit
You still don't want it as FOD on the runway
thomkatt@reddit
this is obviously different, but I worked on the C-5 when I was in the Air Force. The flare panels were screwed in. Definitely structural but also not commercial
coochiesmoocher@reddit
I was on a flight where three of those ripped off the plane. It sounded like a quiet buzzing noise that grew to deafeningly loud over the course of about five seconds, repeat two more times. Everyone looked at each other like "what was that?" looked out all the window, didn't notice any problems with the plane, and just continued to our destination. After we landed we were a little bit more concerned but got busy enjoying our week of vacation wherever we were.
thomkatt@reddit
Oh shit. Sounds like an ANG or Dover plane. Not torque wrench in sight
GutoRuts@reddit
Wings are attached to the fuselage using screws.
Massive-Rate-2011@reddit
Not bolts?
Pr_cision@reddit
Yes, not screws like thus
Kaiisim@reddit
Bolts surely?
Pr_cision@reddit
Yes
fuckingscott@reddit
Wings on commercial airliners are secured with comparatively massive 'bottle pins', named that way because theyre shaped like fucking bottles, not the pin part. Bottle pin vs bottle bolt, take your pick, but theyre not tighten by hand Phillips like these. The fairings are attached with those. They make the plane pretty and fly better all around.
ThatBaseball7433@reddit
This is wildly incorrect.
IlVeroStronzo@reddit
Yeah, screw that!
espressotooloperator@reddit
Composite wing / fuselage doors are definitely structural. Probably less so on commercial aviation.
AmazingProfession900@reddit
That's a flap fairing that is purely to hide mechanisms for aerodynamic purposes. The plane can fly even if it falls off. Still it is not good optics. Where else are screws about to come off?
rckid13@reddit
As a pilot I need passengers to show me this stuff rather than posting about it on reddit too. I can't see that from my seat and I can't see it on the walk around looking up from the bottom. But I can get maintenance to fix it if I know about it.
NFTArtist@reddit
Technically they showed you via Reddit.
rckid13@reddit
Yes thank you for showing me this video from a plane I'm not sure if I fly at an airline I don't know if I fly for. I can certainly have maintenance get right on that.
NFTArtist@reddit
just doing my part to help the aviation industry 🫡
metasploit4@reddit
YES! THIS! Please notify the pilots asap.
PurpleWoodpecker2830@reddit
If I see this, should I immediately rush out my seat and bang of the cockpit door?
jtr99@reddit
Take the pilot a chocolate pistol, perhaps. They need energy before a long flight!
Ofa20@reddit
Much more reasonable to just inform a flight attendant... (Apologies if you're attempting to be funny.)
Positive-Orange-6443@reddit
But reading these comments, the general experience seems to be that the attendant just brushes off these warnings.
mxzf@reddit
I mean, realistically they're going to "brush it off" and downplay it to the passenger, to avoid them worrying. But that doesn't mention they won't drop a "by the way" to the pilot or ground crew after the flight (which is what they should do).
Ok_Lime4124@reddit
Exactly this.
JazznBlues_lover@reddit
That is exactly the problem with flight attendants. DIsregard that tool you're replying to, he doesn't know anything. There's an actual pilot in this thread saying he would rather know first hand himself.
Ofa20@reddit
So tell both? Flight attendant during flight, and pilot as well once you are walking off the plane.
Feel free to go charging up to the cockpit and start banging on the door mid-flight and see where that gets you... I mean, come on. Use some common sense here.
MaybeVladimirPutinJr@reddit
Yes. Yes you should.
leonden@reddit
Preferably you should bring a knife too so you can use it to bolt the screw down. They would really appreciate the thought.
JazznBlues_lover@reddit
/r/badlifechoices/
MaybeVladimirPutinJr@reddit
shhhh, this'll be funny
JazznBlues_lover@reddit
/r/woosh
Went right over your head didn't it?
Bobson-_Dugnutt2@reddit
sees username
Hmmmmm
Flint___Ironstag@reddit
Shout something like "Lemme in quick or everyone dies!"
drtythmbfarmer@reddit
You'll end up with a fun story to tell your kids about.
Ill_Initial698@reddit
You gotta shout "open up or else!" so they know its really important
NeverNice87@reddit
Seriously? The weld is broken, the screws are lose and one is already missing. It didnt happened on that flight. Thats poor maintenance
Whatisnotmyproblem@reddit
Sounds like you have really shitty protocols if you’re rely on passengers to determine what needs to be fixed by maintenance. Management needs a bmp that doesn’t require passengers to check planes in flight. Honestly it’s actually disturbing that you didn’t tell us that there is a protocol for stewardess or others to pure out of the windows and check the plane over during flight.
rckid13@reddit
The problem in this video would have been found and fixed in hangar maintenance. That only happens about once every 100 flight hours. The planes don't go into maintenance every night. Sometimes they fly all night. If an employee or passenger notices it before maintenance then it will get fixed. If no one notices it or does anything about it then it doesn't get fixed until the next time the plane is in the hangar.
exoriparian@reddit
But don't you think it should either be more often, or there should be some kind of supplemental checks between full inspections? It just seems like it is either the checks are not frequent enough, or there is a lack of secondary checks on the part of the airline (or authorities).
Of course a passenger should report these things, but if pilots "need passengers" to do it, that seems like a bad system.
rckid13@reddit
The only reason I need passengers to report it is because the thing in this video is in a spot where the pilots can't see it but the passengers can. We do a pre flight walk around every flight and look into many places you can't see. But the tops of wings and cabin interior are two places you can see that we don't get to see unless someone shows us a problem.
exoriparian@reddit
I get your walkthrough doesn't cover it, but that's exactly what I'm saying. Shouldn't someone who knows what to look for actually go into a place where they can see these things?
Whatisnotmyproblem@reddit
Shity protocols if you’re reliant on passengers to asses your equipment.
rckid13@reddit
There are 200 passengers on a plane and 6 crew members. Six sets of eyes won't see as many things as 200 sets of eyes. No one is relying on it. This will be found and corrected in routine hangar maintenance so if you're too scared to speak up it's going to be fine. But if you choose to say something then it will be written up and fixed on the spot.
JohnC53@reddit
My immediate thought as well. Can't believe it's getting down voted. Hundreds of life at stake, these is NOT the responsibility of the customers. Inspect and maintain your planes!
AjvarAndVodka@reddit
You can see in the comments why more people aren't flagging it. :)
Suitable_Wonder5256@reddit
But the I would have to take off my seatbelt to do that, which is a big no no.
Worldly-Battle-5944@reddit
Maybe you should tell your flight attendant's not to be douche bags and listen to passengers concerns and take this stuff seriously, or stand by the cockpit door on deplane and ask each passenger that walks by if they have any comments or concerns or leave an anonymous comment box ppl can leave notes for you with contact info so you can reach out and get the video from these ppl if they say they have it. If there is something you want you gotta make an effort since most people will not take their jobs seriously or act professional like the flight attendants commenters have said they mention things to and are just laughed off.
Double_Question_5117@reddit
So it’s ok if I just walk into the cockpit?
Shazvox@reddit
Well, now you know about it! Go check all the planes! 😁
surprise_wasps@reddit
Yeah it’s definitely tough to miss the MOST VISIBLE parts of the plane during inspection
DwightsShirtGuy@reddit
Screws don’t concern me so much. Bolts do though.
c5load@reddit
Zeus fastener that's not in a corner? I'll fly it.
West_Good_5961@reddit
Dzus fastener. It’s not a god.
ximagineerx@reddit
Hayzoos fastener
HeReddItNotMe@reddit
10% rule
Phetezzcunezz@reddit
When my company had a helicopter, my boss pointed up towards the rotor before we climbed in. He said (while laughing), “They call that the Jesus nut, because if it fails, we meet him.” It was a hell of a thing to say right before departure.
largemargesentme__-@reddit
I think.the rule was you couldn't have more than 3 loose in a row when I flew the Saab. It always kind of pussed me off that I couldn't just tighten them myself like I'd do on a GA plane.
We'd have to take a delay so mx could come over and tighten 5 screws.
fake_cheese@reddit
You need a certain level of competence to tighen screws properly
DAAANG@reddit
the threads are prbably stripped
Individual-Area7121@reddit
Well the plane can keep flying, but there's also the concern that if it comes off its going to land somewhere. and there's a higher than 0% chance that somewhere will also be occupied by a person.
railker@reddit
There's also a higher than 0% chance you'll get killed by a terminal velocity fish the next time you step outside.
Individual-Area7121@reddit
Tf? Planes fly over populated areas all the time. Things falling off of them is not remotely ok.
MrSurly@reddit
Doesn't mean you assume all the other maintenance is up to snuff.
Krinks1@reddit
Would you say that means there's a problem with the left phalange?
FantasmaOscuro@reddit
Yes, the regina phalange, to be exact!
AskAroundSucka@reddit
My names Phaaaaaaaalange.
Live-Juggernaut-221@reddit
Regina Phalange?
electricwagon@reddit
The Spice Phalange
CompetitiveCod76@reddit
Well I've never seen anything like this in the business world...
Far-Distribution4776@reddit
actually it's Princess Consuela Bananahammock
TheBaneofNewHaven@reddit
First name Crap, last name Bag.
If you need an easy way to remember it, just think of a bag of crap.
mickstranahan@reddit
Are you a business woman traveling on business?
no_talent_ass_clown@reddit
Do you have a Business Woman's Special?
DaddyLongLegolas@reddit
I cut my foot before…
And now my shoe is filling up with blood.
psyde-effect@reddit
Yes, I'm Fanny Eubanks of Omaha.
PeptoBismark@reddit
I'm a businessman With a business plan I'm gonna make you money In business land I'm a cool guy, talking about GameStop I'm definitely not A cop
faxyou@reddit
I couldn’t remember at the moment but this had the air of a friends thing
AskAroundSucka@reddit
Haha yesssss
turkey_sandwiches@reddit
It's an airplane dummy, it's called the port phalange.
Competitive-Fox706@reddit
r/Unexpectedfriends
Huh wow that's a real sub.
wrathofthewhatever2@reddit
That plane doesn’t have a phalange! Oh my god, the plane doesn’t even have a phalange!!!!!
No_Performance1095@reddit
Respect the flange
leftfalangey@reddit
100% it always is, I would know after all
crazyguy83@reddit
well at least it's not the front falling off
HomsarWasRight@reddit
That’s not supposed to happen.
Several_Vanilla8916@reddit
I hope this doesn’t awaken anything in me
HomsarWasRight@reddit
Nice pull.
Keyezeecool@reddit
There is no left phalange!
Beatrix_-_Kiddo@reddit
This plane doesn't even have a phalangee! 😲
dragerfroe@reddit
It leans left…
SetImpressive3808@reddit
I would say more likely with the flux capacitor
AskAroundSucka@reddit
B 52 to be precise.
thewheelsonthebuzz@reddit
That plane doesn’t even have phalange!
PoopScootnBoogey@reddit
I take it those nuts have backed off of their welded positions lol
Pr_cision@reddit
They don’t get welded just torqued
SpaceLemur34@reddit
And if you need a nut to be in a permanent position, you're going to use nutplates, not weld them down.
Hot_Most_8617@reddit
no he is saying the threaded nut on the inside of the fairing is probably captive to the fairing via welding. You cannot hold the nut still while torquing because you have no access in the inside once the fairing is mounted and the intieror space is closed up. So the nut side of the connection must be held in place. most likely by being welded in place.
Pr_cision@reddit
I get what he’s implying, that’s just not the case here. It’ll usually be held in with an anchor nut, which itself is riveted as the other reply to your comment mentioned. IIRC, I don’t actually know for a fact as I’m only a lowly NDT guy, I don’t know for sure that’s just off memory
Pr_cision@reddit
I get what he’s implying, that’s just not the case with these flap track fairing screws lol
roguemenace@reddit
The nut is held in place by 2 rivets.
Js987@reddit
I’m zero concerned about the canoe screws being loose beyond that it’s not a great sign for overall maintenance…I am less fond of the later shot of the screws vibrating along the edge of the flap.
ArcherAuAndromedus@reddit
I agree mostly, and the downwash off the wing should force the fairing down below the elevator, but I'm not 100% not concerned it could still strike the elevator, it's very inboard.
The skin ones give me the willys though. If those are backing out, I'm wondering what other mx jobs were not closed out correctly.
toomanyukes@reddit
The only issue would be if the fairing fell off then impacted the rear stabiliser, but this is an extremely unlikely scenario.
railker@reddit
Nah, even then. Had a KC-135 land with half its tail missing, that other flight where the cowl broke off the aircraft and hit the stabilizer, a Dash 8 collide mid-air with a whole-ass Cessna 172. Airplanes aren't paper-thin princesses, 1/4 lb of fiberglass MIGHT dent something. And there's probably already dents from shit getting kicked up off the runway.
Still not a good time. The real worst-case would be like a repeat of Southwest, arcing perfectly to hit a passenger window in a critical spot and causing it to fail. Wear your seatbelts, kids.
jjw14-1420@reddit
I’m not an aviator, but if that fairing did detach, is it in a spot where it might impact (strike) another more critical component on the plane during flight? Just curious. Thanks.
chaosmages@reddit
Probably not. Could it, yes, but very unlikely. The fairing would be flung back (relative to plane motion). It's high enough it wouldn't hit an engine (also not a big concerns as it's in the back and would hit a non critical area).
The biggest concern would be it hitting and breaking an elevator (rear wing flap). It could still fly, but landing would be rough. Doable, but considered a skill reliant landing and falls under an emergency landing.
MEINSHNAKE@reddit
Arguably if it hit the horizontal stab they could be in for some trouble. Like uncontrollable trouble. But I’m pretty sure the stab could take on the fiberglass canoe and win.
railker@reddit
This Dash 8 hit a whole-ass Cessna 172 in mid-air and continued on for a landing just fine. I would also like to see it fixed and not just risk it, but I doubt less than half a pound of fiberglass or composite is going to cripple the airplane.
tst765@reddit
The stabilizers are designed to withstand impact damage from a thrown wheel thread, foreign objects blown up from the runway or bird strikes. Of course it gets damaged and needs to be repaired but not in a way that would affect control abilities during the remainder of the flight.
Suitable_Wonder5256@reddit
"very unlikely" is not a great term for aviation. Like how unlikely? more unlikely than winning a lottery?
CompetitiveCod76@reddit
Um... it would be fairly catastrophic should it land on someone's head...
mrshulgin@reddit
Yes
Vinegarinmyeye@reddit
According-Ad3963@reddit
Not just that but large fairings falling out of the sky is not bueno.
tracyinge@reddit
Three of them loose and one of them already fallen off. Hmmm.... almost looks like sabotage. Underpaid Luigi working for the airline?
b02mne@reddit
Im sure a good soul on the ground would mind
CoffeeFox@reddit
FOD risk if these things shake loose onto the runway on landing, too.
spavolka@reddit
It could be speed taped to stop the screws from backing out I assume, as a temporary fix?
Pr_cision@reddit
These fasteners would be an easy fix anyway, if the airline’s made aware of it they’ll just do a quick fix
Bad_Vibes_420@reddit
If the anchor nuts on the inside of this canoe fairing are spinning then the only way to remove the screws would be to drill them.
The fairing is sealed on its edge also so it probably isn't going any where any time soon.
Pr_cision@reddit
Oh yeah my bad forgot it’ll be because of the anchor nut
wbg777@reddit
Nut plates*
Pr_cision@reddit
Yes… anchor nuts
wbg777@reddit
You’re right. 10 years as an AMT and I’ve never heard them called anchor nuts
wbg777@reddit
We typically try to tighten these and replace the missing ones. The only time you would speed tape fasteners is if either the nut plate was missing or damaged, thus there is nothing on the inside to receive the screw.
That being said, there are specific conditions that have to be met on specific panels to be able to speed tape missing fastener holes using the aircraft’s Structural Repair Manual.
Typically the missing fastener can’t be on the leading edge of a panel or at a corner or there can’t be more than one or two adjacent to each other. For the panels in the video, I don’t think there are any temporary repairs.
Then you would have to have an engineer draw up a temp repair or remove the panels and replace the nut plates
Aggravating_Fact9547@reddit
Are you volunteering to head out there mid flight? ;)
Horseburd@reddit
Probably, depending what their program is for that sort of thing, but assuming you’re at a base with in-house MX, it’s way easier to just re-torque and replace the missing one. Like, you can call maintenance control and mess with the deferral, set up a repetitive reinspect of the tape… or just get a new bolt, head out with the torque screwdriver, and sign it off for real.
Over-Chemical2809@reddit
The real concern is the damage it can do the rear of the aircraft if it falls off and hits the tail section.
PlaneShenaniganz@reddit
Correct. It can be completely missing. Source: I flew a 737 once that had one missing. It was listed on the CDL. An eagle-eyed passenger even brought it up to a flight attendant!
throwawaytoday9q@reddit
When this stuff flys off at 600 mph can’t it damage critical parts of the airplane (e.g. the elevators)
enigmanaught@reddit
Good luck everybody down below.
mastah-yoda@reddit
That's what I'm thinking.
Fairings are whatever, but if the screws are loose there where it's visible, where else are they loose where it's not visible?
JConRed@reddit
Also dumb if it happens to land on someone coming down. But yeah nothing to worry about for the plane.
MACintoshBETH@reddit
Taps head - can’t have loose screws if there are no screws left
sanjosanjo@reddit
There are two different sections with loose screws. (Trailing cone thing, and flat surface on top). Are they both the flap fairing?
AmazingProfession900@reddit
Fair...the second section is one of the flaps themselves..... again...the plane might fly without that section as well...albeit inefficiently.
TheAgedProfessor@reddit
There is an ever-so-slight chance that if the cowling/fairing comes off mid-flight, it might hit a critical control surface. But it would take a weird set of circumstances.
JustJubliant@reddit
Nothing a little locktight can't handle.
Sea-Variety3384@reddit
Yeah OP, get out and look for other loose screws.
ChocolateChingus@reddit
Generally not a good sign for overall maintenance though if obvious things like this are missed.
TheBlacktom@reddit
How do the mechanisms look like?
Pr_cision@reddit
There’s one off a 777, it’s upside down it’s a mega shit photo. That’s what they look like underneath
Gabzalez@reddit
If it’s a Boeing, probably around emergency exits.
Gillespie1@reddit
The engine mounting screws.
Opposite_Lock3675@reddit
it's mostly just annoying for the line maintenance guys who will have to deal with the write-up once it lands. It’s perfectly safe, but it definitely points to someone rushing a panel installation during the last A-check.
memesearches@reddit
Don’t they usually put expensive tapes over this?
SaviorAir@reddit
If you didn’t, in the future make sure to show this to some crew member. I had something similar, not nearly as bad looking, on a flight. Took a photo and showed it to the captain and FO after we landed. Safety is achieved by everyone being involved.
Trumpcangosuckone@reddit
Once I was boarding a Ryanair flight across europe and I saw an obvious bird strike on the edge of the engine. The diameter of the splatter was pretty huge. I pointed it out to the flight attendant when I climbed the stairs and he took a pic and quickly told his crew and the pilots. They got out, took more pics, squeegeed off the bird paste, and then we were on our way. I definitely felt pretty cool for being the only one out of 100+ people who said something about it.
NGTTwo@reddit
Fun fact: the remains of a bird that's been hit by an airplane is called snarge.
The more you know.
TacTurtle@reddit
I believe it is called mechanically separated nuggets in fold industry.
Suavecore_@reddit
Alright, it's your turn to squeegee the snarge
Acrobatic-Gap-7445@reddit
That sounds like Charlie work to me
MrSurly@reddit
One time I was on vacation with a (white) rental car. Driving down the road (ironically back to the rental dropoff), and out of nowhere a bird flew in front of the car and we actually hit it.
Get to the rental place for the dropoff inspection. Feathers, and ... pieces in the front headlight well/grille. Blood down the side of the car. Inspector kinda looked at us and I just said "we hit a bird." They shrugged and kept looking for other damage.
Oddly, the bird wasn't considered damage as it didn't really dent anything.
Agitated_Bet8440@reddit
Bien hecho Jeffrey Kirk.
Probable_Bot1236@reddit
I was once on a redeye into Minneapolis as an unaccompanied minor and informed the flight attendant that part of the engine cowling had come off at some point during the night. It was there when I want to sleep, it was gone when I woke up about an hour out from landing. Almost certainly not coincidentally, I thought I'd been awoken by a loud sound.
She made no effort to look at it herself, and basically told me I was confused and ignorant, everything was fine, and to go back to sleep, child. While I was indeed a child at age 16, her delivery could not have possibly been more dripping with condescension. I tried again to get her to you know, do something, but told me to sit back down or face consequences. I figured that damned thing was still flying and that if there were a real issue with the engine the pilots would know, and just sat and stewed until landing.
As I disembarked the plane the flight attendants and one of the pilots were having a hushed yet animated conversation about how part of the right engine cowling was missing. I made a point of letting the pilot that I had, in fact, informed part of his crew of that fact while we were still in the air to no effect while giving a hard look at the flight attendant who'd written me off. She instantly flushed crimson, and he gave her a slow-motion, baleful glare while she tried to fumble for some sort of excuse. I just said "maybe next time you'll fucking look instead of calling your passenger stupid' and left without any further interaction.
It was the first time in my life I'd used the f-word so publicly. I'm still pissed about that incident to this day, over 20 years later. I've always wondered what consequences, if any, befell that FA. I hope there were some though. You'd think someone telling you that there was a loud 'bang' and part of the airplane is visibly missing would get more of an effort than a politely phrased if not so politely delivered version of 'shut up, dummy'.
Turbo_Normalized@reddit
Let me guess, and then everybody clapped?
Probable_Bot1236@reddit
No, I deliberately dragged my feet getting off so I could say something without inconveniencing others; there weren't other passengers around.
No happy, tidy satisfying internet ending. Just a pissed off teenager, pissed off flight crew, and embarrassed FA. No idea what the outcome was for the FA or aircraft, as much as I'd love to know and share.
Disrupt_money@reddit
"The downfall of society begins with the individual."
Hohohoh0h0h0@reddit
It is not too late to lookup the flight number and the aircraft tail number and send the footage to both the airline and local news station.
SaviorAir@reddit
Yes, let’s send it to the news so we can create more unnecessary panic in the media in an industry that includes a former airline captain calling for two pilots to lose their jobs because they spoke on the wrong frequency, which happens all the time /s
ciongduopppytrllbv@reddit
Lmao such a Redditor
japanphonehand@reddit
Currently over the Pacific Ocean while I see this so thanks for that.
Effective_Penalty493@reddit
Riveting content
surfsnower@reddit
From a passenger perspective, a zero. If this falls off it affects nothing. Maybe a .5 because you doubt the aircraft a bit now.
From a pilot perspective, a two. If this falls off you might have to do paperwork. Plus makes you second guess the aircraft just a smidgen.
From maintenance perspective, a five. You'll have to tighten it which is easy, but now that its on reddit, higher ups might get involved and overcomplicate everything.
From a person in the flight path, a seven. Not so much because it is likely, but anything falls off a plane it'll mess you up.
Zebidee@reddit
This is probably the most accurate assessment in the thread.
chaosmages@reddit
Im not sure what the terminal velocity of aluminum plating is, but its not very high. A bigger concern would be it cutting you as it tumbles to the ground.
surfsnower@reddit
Even a little baby button head Philips will ruin your day.
aNiceTribe@reddit
Isn’t that just the falling coin myth again, or are these screws much larger and of such a mass that they could hurt you even from 20cm up?
surfsnower@reddit
Terminal velocity should be around 90mph for something that light. But it would hurt. Not kill you probably. Ive had one hit me dropped from top of a tail. Hurt and bruised but no blood
Great_Comparison462@reddit
Bullshit
railker@reddit
Most fairings are just composite. Still hurt, but less.
Pomme-Poire-Prune@reddit
From the passenger perspective it's quite false. If this piece fall on the runway it could be catastrophic, see the example of the Concorde...
Lyudline@reddit
It was catastrophic, but not for passengers onboard the aircraft which lost a part.
surfsnower@reddit
A standard passenger would never know that. Thats a pilot/maintenance person specific worry.
forgottenoldusername@reddit
You guys are arguing about fractions of worry and who they can be attributed to like it's a real science
And that's exactly the sort of thing I come to the subreddit for, frankly
surfsnower@reddit
I am here to spout my nonsense. Glad it is appreciated.
Disastrous-Power-699@reddit
From a passenger perspective it’s a 10 because I’ll have to spend the entire fight having a panic attack and probably mess myself up
poopythrowaway69420@reddit
Question from non pilot here: is it possible for this to fall off and get sucked into the engine?
fsgeek91@reddit
The engine inlets are forward of the wing’s leading edge. Anything falling off is getting blown backwards by the air stream and will not touch the engine.
Now if the pilot’s wing mirror were to fall off, however…
IIIIlllIIIIIlllII@reddit
Unless the engine is in the back, which some are
Horseburd@reddit
I’d give 90% odds that’s a 737, so no.
Mr0lsen@reddit
No, but it could fall off on landing or take off and present a hazard to other aircraft.
jamesfowkes@reddit
Yeah this kind of thing bought down an entire Concorde and killed 113 people. Maintenance, it turns out, is important.
Fun-Time9529@reddit
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
Accomplished-Ruin43@reddit
Imagine as you filmed that a screw disappeared
delta_ripper@reddit
Visible faults are nice, lets not think about all the others.
Superb_Plane2497@reddit
relax. that's the airspeed indicator
Left-Associate3911@reddit
Well if your flight, you’ll have the answer when you land 👍
ineedanewhobbee@reddit
“How” you land.
Pugets_Sounds@reddit
True, crashing is still landing. 😆
Left-Associate3911@reddit
Any landing you can walk away from 🤣
MrLovalovaRubyDooby@reddit
Just read a news report that came out shortly after this post that a passenger on a flight lost his mind and had to be sedated mid flight
Important_Power_2148@reddit
He kept screaming about "A man out there." It was just the maintenance guys putting down another layer of the speed tape.
MrLovalovaRubyDooby@reddit
“Poor little guy, probably kept up with you for a mile or so”
TheAgedProfessor@reddit
AlarmDozer@reddit
I'm glad this is still making the rounds. OG Twilight Zone was great writing.
Important_Power_2148@reddit
Yep thats him. He also has some sort of delusion about some guy named Scotty kept screaming to be "beamed up."
IndependentPrior5719@reddit
There’s a twilight zone episode that he’d find quite bracing !
TimWhirly@reddit
There are TWO twilight zone episodes that might be relevant. Just ask Captain Kirk.
Acrobatic-Post9811@reddit
Just-Sea3037@reddit
Any landing you can walk away from is a good one. If you can use the plane again, it's a great one.
migure_2025@reddit
Except when landed in a water body and OP is 2026 Jesus.
Kichigai@reddit
Adjutant_Reflex_@reddit
“Any landing you can walk away from is a good one. Any landing you can fly the plane again is a great one.”
PvtBaldrick@reddit
r/cabinpressure
FoofaFighters@reddit
https://youtu.be/Kmq9AkthgB0?t=27
cyberentomology@reddit
Any landing you can walk away from AND use the airplane again
Hulu_n_SnuSnu@reddit
Any landing they can still use the plane is better.
lukeluke0000@reddit
Obi Wan Kenobi: "Another happy landing".
nugohs@reddit
Obi-Wan: "Not to worry. We're still flying half a ship."
Pugets_Sounds@reddit
How cliche do you to reuse an overly used saying. Just because you can't walk away from it doesn't mean it doesn't count as a landing. Artemis landed and they couldn't just walk away from it. Float planes land and you can't just walk away from even a good landing on water.
jough22@reddit
This always bothered me when the pilot gave their announcement. "We'll be on the ground in about ... 25 minutes." Please. Just say we're landing in 25. Thanks.
Apprehensive_Put_321@reddit
Not if its on water
Dizmondmon@reddit
That would be a seaing yes?
Apprehensive_Put_321@reddit
Would also be diving
Calamity-Bob@reddit
Screw that
Pugets_Sounds@reddit
I see what you did there lol. Such a screwy comment 😆
Calamity-Bob@reddit
That’s nuts. Don’t bolt.
Simple-Hair8592@reddit
These jokes are tight
Calamity-Bob@reddit
It’s a good thread
Simple-Hair8592@reddit
Gonna really socket to em
Calamity-Bob@reddit
Stay in your box
ughilostmyusername@reddit
I actually found it riveting
Calamity-Bob@reddit
Nailed it
R0b0tMark@reddit
OP isn’t flying, they’re falling with style!
BraileDildo8inches@reddit
Falling with style
Crypt_Revenant@reddit
In aviation landing is considered a controlled crash.
cyberentomology@reddit
In aviation, an airplane is considered a bunch of loose parts flying in tight formation.
ClassicMongoose8051@reddit
In human anatomy, walking is considered a series of controlled falls. (Accurately so actually)
Ok_Suggestion_6092@reddit
In naval aviation it’s just a crash that doesn’t hurt the plane.
Numeno230n@reddit
Every flight eventually does.
Desperate-Tomatillo7@reddit
"If"
fuck-u-spez--@reddit
planes always land, however the method.
Desperate-Tomatillo7@reddit
Even in the middle of the ocean?
fuck-u-spez--@reddit
Yes, ocean landing
migure_2025@reddit
and where you land. Please use landscape mode.
frankylampy@reddit
"If" you land
ant2ne@reddit
if
osprey413@reddit
Takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory.
experimentalcouple25@reddit
IF you landed
Da_full_monty@reddit
If
Tall_Bandicoot_2768@reddit
“If”
Shockwave2309@reddit
IF you land
fuck-u-spez--@reddit
planes always land, however the method.
Majakowski@reddit
If you land.
fuck-u-spez--@reddit
planes always land, however the method.
memesearches@reddit
“If” you land.
fuck-u-spez--@reddit
planes always land, however the method.
Blurple11@reddit
If
fuck-u-spez--@reddit
planes always land, however the method.
CouchsidePhilosopher@reddit
"If" you land.
fuck-u-spez--@reddit
planes always land, however the method.
Mass_And_Sass@reddit
“If” they land. I guess “landing” is subjective in this context.
Healthy_Jellyfish292@reddit
That's the joke bud
motoman809@reddit
*"how" you "land".
Initial_Scarcity_609@reddit
They are asking experts for their opinion not jokes.
No-Profession-208@reddit
“If” you land.
_paag@reddit
You ALWAYS land, safely or not.
phunkyunkle@reddit
Takeoff is optional, landing is mandatory.
falcopilot@reddit
That's what makes a first solo such a memory. You don't have to go up... but once you do, there's nobody to help you get down again.
BardicNA@reddit
Reminds me of a quote my dad told me when I started climbing trees and asked for help up into one: "if you can't get up there yourself, you shouldn't be up there. If you need help up you're going to need help down."
If you can't take off by yourself, how deep in the shit are you when it's time to land? Same logic.
JBR1961@reddit
I remember mine because I didn’t check the passenger door was fully latched after my instructor got out. Boy, I know the plane should climb faster with him gone, but why is it so noisy?
falcopilot@reddit
LOL! On mine, two pilot friends in a group chat were snarking "some day maybe falcopilot will get to turn right"- I shot back "Bitches, I don't care- I'm doing my solo!"
TodayWeMake@reddit
Is it technically landing if they plummet into the ocean?
_paag@reddit
They will reach the sea floor eventually. So, yeah, not a safe landing
Fiery_Flamingo@reddit
There are no planes stuck in the sky.
FunnyObjective6@reddit
Define "plane", depending on how loose you are you could include satellites.
geohubblez18@reddit
Depending on how loose you are, you could include everything in the universe.
RosieDear@reddit
I've seem them on top of gas stations....
Brofessor-0ak@reddit
It would be far scarier if they never landed
pleasewastemytime@reddit
Oh, they'll land.
New_Westie@reddit
That’s not flying! That’s falling with style!” Toy Story’s Woody.
haditwithyoupeople@reddit
Or when you don't.
DickSociety@reddit
If you land
aDirtyMartini@reddit
You can ask the first responders at your crash site.
Only_Razzmatazz_4498@reddit
It would be more concerning to the ones on the ground.
air_flair@reddit
How much danger are you in? None, at all.
How much danger are people on the ground, whom that fairing may hit?.....a little.
Own-Stick-1444@reddit
Just cover them with speed tape.
Apprehensive_Map284@reddit
I live with a pilot and I’ve watched every air disaster and THAT is very concerning!
altcornholio@reddit
I'd shake, too, being so high up and cold!
rarrr13@reddit
As a non-aviation expert. Any screw that is moving around like that is broken or stripped and is not doing the job it's intended holy s*** this is why I don't fly.
railker@reddit
That should've been the end of your sentence. These screws are neither broken or stripped. Just vibrated loose, usually ends up being that particular one 'cause it gets blast-fucked by the engine when the flaps are down. Tighten them up, replace the missing one, good to go.
rarrr13@reddit
I know screws LOL I don't know what the hell you're talking about but that is not how screws function in every single bit that I've ever known in my life and if it is then prove it to me more thoroughly cuz that is not how screws function
railker@reddit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tR2JV4VZfA
If screws and bolts never came loose just because you torqued them, I wouldn't have to lockwire bolts together to keep them from backing out and my fingertips would be so much happier. Airplanes are vibration generating machines.
And they settle too, which is why we to re-torques on installations like windshields and wing/horizontal stabilizer leading edges after a defined time, usually a couple hundred flight hours.
rarrr13@reddit
And that's some good information just imagine if you had done that on your first post instead of being an arrogant jerk. Also I don't think I'll ever fly again still. Cuz those should have been retorqued a long time ago
railker@reddit
>this guy doesn't realize his fit is getting moderated too lol
rarrr13@reddit
Fit? Lol I do believe we're done here. My sentiment stands. I do no trust the current quality of aviation control. If aircrafts were maintained accordingly screws would be....wait for it ..... Screwed in.
railker@reddit
Well no wonder you won't fly again if you're so fuckin soft this conversation is setting you off. Don't have any issue with someone asking questions. I have an issue with 'I self admittedly have no clue what I'm talking about but this is wrong' and then losing your shit at me with a slew of comments when I issue a correction. AME is Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Like you and screw threads, this is literally my job.
This stub of fairing does literally nothing but save you a few grams of fuel and keeps the flap components clean-ish. You can fly [with it completely missing]()
or just operate with the whole thing gone for a limited amount of time and a fuel burn penalty.
100% they should get torqued up and that missing one should get swapped back in. But that area is just prone to getting rattled by the engine, and that corner of that flap even has material removed entirely from it as a repair, it's prone to developing cracks in that area apparently. Haven't seen any on my airplanes yet but someone's in r/aviation about once a month going 'WHY'S THE FLAP MISSING A BITE?' 😁
rarrr13@reddit
You is funny small boy. I can't see your last comment I don't know if it got immediately banned because of your tantrum?
rarrr13@reddit
A screw by definition screws in into threads thread into thread there's no movement School me I'm okay with that like I said I'm no Aviation expert but I've been dealing with threads for decades and that's not how threads work and if it is then I guess I'm wrong.
christajis@reddit
Not good not bad totally normal phenomenon
JimJamanon@reddit
There are others screws, you'll be fine, that's why they put so many. You can miss 10% of the screws in a panel that's not a sealed panel like for fuel.
North-Tie-2409@reddit
If it’s screwed in, it can fall off in the wind If it’s riveted in, it should not flap in the wind
Hope this helps
vincer610@reddit
All is well, nothing to see here.
Cheap-Macaroon-431@reddit
it's all ball bearings these days
NominalTrajectory@reddit
That logo is from Indonesian Lion Air
nhansieu1@reddit
it's thinking
Fidrych76@reddit
This is why you usually see rivets and not screws
railker@reddit
Rivets can come loose, too, usually can see streaks behind them when it starts happening. Definitely less often than screws, but we use those all over the place still. Anywhere that needs access, can't be drilling out rivets every time you need to get in somewhere to look at something. Windshields, access panels, fairings, all sorts of stuff still gets screws. \^\^
damagedligament856@reddit
depends what we're looking at but most of these things get caught in preflight checks, maintenance isnt just vibes
gaylord9000@reddit
.off
PriorWorker9594@reddit
Need new rivets
KM77777@reddit
Maintenance overrated.
nindza-22@reddit
Holy fucking fuck lol.
Well, nothing a screwdriver can't fix... :)
PsychologicalTry6435@reddit
Expert here,
YOLO
PurpleStar4u@reddit
ReLAX guy, we haven't had a wing come loose in weeeeks.
Icy_Number444@reddit
My ex was an airplane mechanic and he was high every second of his day. Just saying.
NightShade0912@reddit
None, they are supposed to do that.
What's the plane number, you know so I can not not not book this plane?
djevilatw@reddit
That’s part of the flaps, you’re fine.
howsyerbumforgrubs@reddit
Loose canoe
Glitterbomb4274@reddit
Very.
Pastel_Goth_Wastrel@reddit
Flap track fairing. Aerodynamic not structural. No big deal
ZootTootRiot@reddit
This is some real Final Destination stuff.. off the plane!
Atomx1971@reddit
Were you flying Funjet?
spec360@reddit
That’s only the shell
OverallConference940@reddit
On General Aviation, non pressurized aircraft, like a Piper or Cessna, the cabin door can appear closed but not be latched securely. It will pop open during the climb or cruise phase about an inch and stay there, making a horrendous amount of wind noise. The best thing to do is continue the flight to your planned destination and promise yourself you'll be more careful with the door closure in the future.
Loose sheet metal screws on an airliner take things to a different level of concern. The airline should talk with the involved maintenance crew about their procedures.
Stu-Gotz@reddit
Ruhh roo, someone forgot the threadlock.
railker@reddit
Definitely don't threadlock any of these access panel screws. The anchor nuts they're threaded into have a retaining feature and a running torque. Only time I've Loctite'd something on a plane is installing bushings into parts.
joelkton@reddit
One of a thousand reasons I will never fly again.
ImTheJewgernaut@reddit
It's just a loose nutplate. You're fine. It's an aerodynamic fairing and isn't flight critical. Feel free to inform the crew when you see these things though so maintenance can get around to replacing it when able.
Citricioni@reddit
Tape that’s what we have tape for
Pro-Rider@reddit
Nah slap some 8802 on there it will be fine. 🤣
I used to be an Airframes Mechanic.
ImTheJewgernaut@reddit
Yep, speed tape over that fairing and the other loose screw and you're good to go for another block of flight hours before major service.
elastic-craptastic@reddit
Do they have an in-flight procedure to check these things midflight from time to time?
ImTheJewgernaut@reddit
Other than looking out the window in-flight like this passenger did, no.
Typically these fastener issues will be found and logged/repaired during scheduled inspections of the components under these fairings/panels (X number of flight hours, component high times, etc.) or unscheduled maintenance of the components under the fairings/panels (reported problems from aircrew).
elastic-craptastic@reddit
I get the avg person is uneducated, let alone uneducated in avionics.
But as a "reasonably educated" person... I would be nervous because my education does not include avionics.
Knowing that I have seen similar in flights as a child and said nothing because... I was a scared child and what good what it do to freak everyone else out(?).
Maybe some PSA's would be good to calm and educate.
Yikes0nBikez@reddit
Meanwhile, someone in Tulsa is headed to Discount to get one removed from their tire.
Future_History_9434@reddit
On my third airplane flight in my life I was seated very early, and I watched the guy who drove the stairs that the crew takes into the cockpit start the engines, then back up into the plane, rocking the plane and poking a small hole in the skin of the aircraft. I saw him look furtively at the hole, then drive away without telling anyone. I sat there waiting for someone to say something, and when they didn’t I called the flight attendant over to show it to her. We eventually got a new plane, but that guy was willing to let a whole plane load of people go out over the Atlantic Ocean in a plane he damaged. Didn’t even duct tape over it.
WorstITTechnician@reddit
Even if its only function is securing the cowling and optimizing aerodynamics, a 150g bolt failing at a cruise altitude of 35,000 ft could reach a terminal velocity of roughly 280 km/h. Accounting for aerodynamic drag, the resulting 400–450 Joules of kinetic energy upon impact is effectively equivalent to the muzzle energy of a 9mm projectile, it might be safe for those on top, but it doesn't seem very healthy for those below.
railker@reddit
Wild overestimation, a 100-pack of #10 screws about the size for that fairing is 250 grams give or take.
SignificantIsopod797@reddit
Just needs some speed tape…
dezadocys2025@reddit
Imagine getting hit in the head with one of them bad boys
Majestic_Tomorrow555@reddit
Some silicone will do the job brah
AngryScottish@reddit
If you have a Phillips, ask the staff if you can lean out and tighten them.
Otherwise, enjoy your flight and don't worry about it.
ammodramussavannarum@reddit
Couldn’t get that through security these days!
geta-rigging-grip@reddit
I got my swiss army knife through security all the way to new zealand in my carry-on bedore it got found in a domestic connecting flight.
They took it out, measured the blade, then said it was ok.
I thought I had put it in my checked bag.
Graffxxxxx@reddit
They almost took my medicated shampoo that I wouldn’t be able to get at my destination, and luckily the tsa agent actually read the bottle and asked me before just tossing it cos I would’ve been fucking miserable without that.
ballimi@reddit
Meanwhile they took my nail clippers in Mexico.
nobody65535@reddit
They took my nail clipper in the US. Miss that one, it wasn't the cheap chineseium you get today either.
BuckTheStallion@reddit
Someone in the crochet group had their crochet hook confiscated in Mexico a day or two ago. A little wooden one the size of a pencil with a blunt tip.
FUTURE10S@reddit
My mom had the same thing happen when she immigrated, there were a pair of knitting needles attached to a tiny little woolen sock that she was making, domestic flight security said to throw it out after it was deemed okay for an international flight.
BarfTholomYou@reddit
I have a deep hatred for ignorant people with authority who decide things without thinking or asking questions.
Mimothemaltipoo@reddit
They tried to take a paper nail file from me in 2003 at FRA… And my smartwatch charger in AYT in 2024 because they didn’t believe it wasn’t a nail clipper. 🙄
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AutoModerator@reddit
Your comment or post has been automatically removed from /r/aviation. Posts/Comments from new accounts are automatically removed by our automated systems. We, and many other large subreddits, do this to combat spam, spambots, and other activities that are not condusive to the sub. In the meantime, participate on Reddit to build your acouunt age and this restriction will go away. Also, please familiarize yourself with this subreddit's rules, which you can find in the sidebar or by clicking this link. Do not contact the moderation team unless you feel you have received this message/action in error. We will not manually approve comments or posts from new accounts.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Round-Departure819@reddit
Yeah I've gone through plenty of flights with my 4-5" blade pocket knife. Even thrown it in the bin to go through checks every time and never had it confiscated. Not sure why cause I always expect them to take it. At this point I'm just testing the waters to see how long it takes until that happens.
jailtheorange1@reddit
and he wanted to take a mini SPORK off me.
WhichWall3719@reddit
They confiscated my crab hammer when I flew out of Maryland because they said I could potentially use it to overpower the flight crew
antariusz@reddit
if a swiss army knife can get through security, I guess I should start carrying a box cutter...
/s
(knives of any length banned in the u.s.)
Chris_StJohn@reddit
Zurich airport has a Swiss Army Knife shop in the departure lounge...
joecarter93@reddit
I had a dumb ass friend that forgot that he had some .22 ammo in his carry-on backpack and he only found it after we arrived at our destination.
Little_War2626@reddit
Flying back from Iraq, military flight but chartered civilian plane, one of my buddies forgot a hand grenade. He got in a decent amount of trouble but nothing permanent, just the typical getting yelled at and ridiculed for a bit. I legitimately don’t know if he was trying to smuggle it back, it was one of those smaller grenade, not the normal sized one, and it’s entirely possible he just forgot it was in his pack somehow. He was also a dumbass, so I dunno. Meanwhile I made it through 3 security screenings including multiple X-rays with 5.56 ammo that had fallen out of a magazine and was wedged in the bottom of a pocket of my vest, and I didn’t find that until I was back home washing everything to turn it back in. I really don’t have much faith in security screenings.
ThePrussianGrippe@reddit
I have accidentally carried on loose ammo and a full on Ka-bar knife on my carry on on two separate flights.
But God forbid I bring a deck of magic the gathering cards on the plane with me, random search every time.
Soggy_Weather_2170@reddit
Same thing happened to me and I got fined 350 Bucks and almost shat myself for fear of getting on a no fly list! 😂
Northern_crocodile@reddit
haha me too!!
spavolka@reddit
I’m always so happy to get my pocket knife back from my checked luggage. I’m in construction so I use mine multiple times a day so I miss it even on vacation or working out of town.
2180miles@reddit
I travel with a stubby Phillips / flathead combo. Passes TSA and international security checkpoints a few times a week without issue!
deepbluearmadillo@reddit
You guys are so lucky and I’m jealous. I go through security with my hijab and I inevitably get pulled aside. One time they even patted down my head stating I could have hidden something in my hijab (I wear it super flat and tight especially when flying, just so they can see there is nothing I could conceal). If I tried taking a screwdriver through I would probably get arrested.
It’s all worth it for the planes, though!!
Hopefully OP landed without sedation and proceeded to another flight where the screws were tighter.
ContextHook@reddit
Are you seriously suggesting this shouldn't be the case? Get a grip.
deepbluearmadillo@reddit
Okie dokie! Blessings to you!
microsofat@reddit
Curse the cunning and mighty TSA!
Hot_Most_8617@reddit
fly like 40 times a year. Carry on short Drives on flights every month. TSA does have limits though so read before bring tools.
Donklachek@reddit
Screwdrivers under 7 inch are allow. I fly with them all the time.
percbish@reddit
Why all the time? I’m actually curious
discipleofchrist69@reddit
not the guy you answered but I also do that all the time. I generally travel with a lunchbox sized tool kit with only items that are allowed on carry on, I don't like checking bags or walking around with a roller bag (carryon is a backpack)
AngryScottish@reddit
My cousin got a damn lighter thru security and on a flight. It got confiscated on the return flight.
To be fair, it was like her third flight ever.
badkapp00@reddit
If it's a Boeing aircraft they leave some tools behind. Just need to find them in some closed compartments.
Bubbly-Bowler8978@reddit
I love flying on Boeing because I am a DIY kinda guy, makes me feel accomplished keeping that bird in the air when we finally land.
Brilliant_Country_73@reddit
Those are almost certainly torq-set or tri-wing screws, not standard phillips. So unless you packed your specialized aviation bit set in your carry-on, you're pretty much out of luck for doing any mid-air impromptu maintenance.
AngryScottish@reddit
Clearly not all torq or tri-wing.
Thekdawggg@reddit
You’re wrong, lad.
We’re not saying torx. We’re saying torq set, which is an absolute cunt of a screw head that even if you have the correct size bit, the correct angle, brand new screw, you’re gonnae round the cunt.
railker@reddit
Haven't seen torq-set on a 737 yet, it's all been Phillips for me so far.
AngryScottish@reddit
Are we looking at the same vid/picture, because I feel like we are looking at two different things.
torq are offset slots instead of aligned.
The screengrab of the video clearly shows aligned slots.
AegisCruiser@reddit
What if I stare at them very intently and will them into tightening back up?
A quick response would be appreciated.
LickyPusser@reddit
I’m pretty sure Southwest makes you tighten all the screws on your side of the plane.
P0pu1arBr0ws3r@reddit
Well why not help them take it off? Clearly its loose so it should just be removed! Mid flight!
RealMcGonzo@reddit
"Excuse me stewardess? Could you roll down the left window on row 7?"
AngryScottish@reddit
Can you imagine?
It would be an endless battle between the recliners, the shoes-off, the light-on-at-night, and the window-down-for-fresh-air passengers.
Absolute riots.
Mimothemaltipoo@reddit
While you’re out there, light a cigarette in the smoker’s space. If you can light it, you’re allowed to smoke it because you deserve it.
Micesmoi@reddit
Nobody enjoying that flight after those screws dancing
Anjz@reddit
Honestly even if it’s safe, this would drive me mental. Just seeing it jiggling around makes me want to tighten some screws. Just doesn’t sit right!
Distinct-Ice-700@reddit
DeWalt? Makita?
No, Phillips.
Final-Read-6210@reddit
if i'm on that plane i would start praying
No-Switch-851@reddit
The solder on that joints all cracked too. Is a wing supposed to be soldered
railker@reddit
Not a single ounce of solder anywhere on that wing, unless there's some wiring somewhere that's soldered instead of terminal crimped.
Elastomeric polysulfide sealant with a coating of paint on it. Sealant flexes, paint doesn't, paint cracks.
Idonotgetthisatall@reddit
Phillips?? Why of all the options use Phillips?
railker@reddit
Still better than Tri-Wing.
Typ3Caster@reddit
I had this missing on one of my flights. Before take-off I took a picture and put on the call light. I told her I just wanted to discreetly point this out and simply showed her the picture. She asked to borrow my phone and went and showed the pilots. They gave the explanation that it's not needed and perfectly safe, but thank you for bringing it up. Which the flight attendant quietly relayed back to me upon return of the phone.
Independent-Car4110@reddit
It happens more than you think, I see that a lot when flying
OkAlternative2713@reddit
Flew private to the Bahamas and plane (I think it was a DC 3 but hey I was 10) had same type of thing. My dad kept saying hey where’s the wing? I miss him.
Bigusdicus123@reddit
Liquid B 1/2 Nutplates 🤦♀️
Typ3Caster@reddit
I have flown on flights where this piece is missing altogether. It's very minor and nothing to worry about. That said. If they are not bothering to tighten these up, what else are they not checking.
Nose-It-All@reddit
Not very...
pantherinthelowpalm@reddit
If that part goes, it will be ok. It's everything else after that.
letmesmellem@reddit
Good just not super great
JasontheFuzz@reddit
That's just a decorative cover and it has no actual power to affect the flight, just like how Gandalf had no power to affect the flight of the Great Eagles who are of a proud, noble race created by Manwe and they are named Gwaihir, Landroval, and Thorondor.
Dock_Ellis45@reddit
Not very. Screws vibrate out all the time. Just discreetly let the Flight Attendant know and Maintenance will replace them at the next stop.
BadTraditional401@reddit
Yeah so I had the screw gun on the drill bit setting because I was told we always do it that way ...
brennons@reddit
Bad nutplates. Definitely notify flight attendant or air crew.
IllustratorCrazy2597@reddit
Aircraft structures tech here.
Often on panels/components that are semi-regularly removed for maintenance, access etc. we use things called anchor nuts, because you want screws to tighten into a nut, but dont have access to the back. They are usually riveted in place and break somewhat frequently. My best guess is that the anchor nut is broken on the back, which gives it the space to wiggle around, but it can't pull through the fairing. That many being damaged means they should definitely be replaced, but there is almost no chance that fairing will fall off the plane.
zyzmog@reddit
I wouldn't be so concerned about the rattling screws if they weren't right next to a broken weld.
But I'm not an aviation expert.
DescriptionNo6618@reddit
Riveting entertainment!
notepad987@reddit
No problem, just use some Loctite Threadlocker when you land.
If the wing falls off before that then nevermind....
Stunning-Addendum-65@reddit
Don’t worry. The retaining rings are working just fine except for the one that is now a tfoa
hansrx7@reddit
That is some serious focus you got there on your phone!
botle@reddit
Ah, it's a Lion Air flight.
new22003@reddit
Ask them to send out an in-flight mechanic like this.
BlackBlizzard@reddit
Ted_Hitchcox@reddit
I mean , at least it still has a lsft falangie.
MissCoppelia@reddit
Ah. It's Lion Air...
I8erbeaver2@reddit
Kiss the ground when you land
AdeptnessOld6498@reddit
Must be a Boeing...
peyoteman47@reddit
1/10
New-Strategy-1673@reddit
Doesn't concern me at all.. but I'm down here.
Good luck 🤟
moody_chickens@reddit
Just tell them to pull over.
r3v3rb_1@reddit
flightwatcher45@reddit
Only concern is it smacking the tail critically but very unlikely. Or hit anyone one the ground.
CelexaPancakes@reddit
The screw just completely missing.
ThoriatedFlash@reddit
I'm surprised they didn't cover it with speed tape, but them people would freak out thinking the plane was held together with duct tape.
DramaticMention7597@reddit
Uhm, probably within spec…
Euphoric_Search438@reddit
Я не експерт, але виглядає дуже неприємно, типу як кадр з фільму пункт призначення
Silbyrn_@reddit
eh, it'll be fiiine
Tupolev144@reddit
Just a 737 doing 737 things.
Entire fairing can be remove and deferred per the CDL with minimal aerodynamic penalty.
However I would still flag it to the flight crew so those screws all get a good torque. Not a good look when parts fall off of your plane.
RBeck@reddit
The issue isn't the fairing coming off, its an indication of a larger lack of inspection. It's the "brown m&m"
railker@reddit
And how much inspection do you presume occurs on a daily basis? Tens of thousands of bolts on a plane, we ain't going around every night and poking every one.
This poor fairing sits behind the engine and gets vibrated and rattled for its life, every operator in existence probably sees this. It's a non-critical component and if someone actually sees it loose then we'll fix it, otherwise, who's gonna see something not moving doing a walkaround on the ground looking up at the retracted flaps? I'd put absolutely zero correlation to "other maintenance" to something silly like this. But I get the perception.
ShadowKraftwerk@reddit
And probably not popular with anyone on the receiving end of a bit of aluminium from 35,000 ft
BritishBenzene@reddit
Bigger issue is what happens when a screw falls off at landing and is sucked into another plane’s engine. FOD is no joke.
CeeBee2001@reddit
Surely those screws are captive given where they are and what they do?
railker@reddit
Some are in some places, but definitely not always. What they do is hold on a little bit of fiberglass that saves you some fuel and is completely inconsequential otherwise.
ZeppelinJ0@reddit
Looks like one screw already fell out, wonder where it is!
GI-Robots-Alt@reddit
Depending on the terminal velocity of a screw that size it might be embedded in someone's skull
ZeppelinJ0@reddit
https://i.imgur.com/dr8J6I4.gif
Bros_B4_Hoe5@reddit
Concorde having ptsd
Pipe_Mountain@reddit
I'll never forgive the DC-10 for that
Bros_B4_Hoe5@reddit
Concorde having ptsd
TheSixthVisitor@reddit
Real talk though, that weld is gross and I'm kind of offended by it. Seriously, it's atrocious; pretty sure when it was freshly welded, you could've slapped the wing a little too hard and cracked it. Just ew.
pl0nk@reddit
I went back and looked, now I also feel offended by that weld. What are we doing here guys
asmrhead@reddit
Yes, I just looked at the intersection of my bathroom tile and bathtub and now I too am indignantly offended about welds for some reason.
P0Rt1ng4Duty@reddit
That's not a weld, it's caulk.
Tupolev144@reddit
Not a weld. It’s a carbon fiber part. That’s just a big gob of polysulfide sealant.
TheSixthVisitor@reddit
Right, wings. I work on engines so my potato brain immediately goes to welding over sealant. Our thing is dunking the fastener in sealant, shoving it in the hole, and going "fuck it, ain't on fire therefore it ain't my problem."
evarga@reddit
That seems to dried and painted sealant that has cracked? There wouldn’t be a weld on those parts as they are fastened and removable for maintenance.
Fun-Time9529@reddit
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
Tupolev144@reddit
Are you joking?
Ambient air pressure in flight is lower outside the fairing than in (thanks to Bernoulli) and once the head is loose, drag is trying to pull them out too. All the active forces in the system are working the fasteners out, not pushing them in.
Only thing holding these guys in the hole is whatever grip the nutplates still have on them.
Brilliant_Net1907@reddit
They not learned well about aviation safety after their Boeing issue.
realparkingbrake@reddit
Look up how many Airbus airliners have been lost and how many fatalities happened as a result. The problem is not confined to Boeing.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AutoModerator@reddit
Your comment or post has been automatically removed from /r/aviation. Posts/Comments from new accounts are automatically removed by our automated systems. We, and many other large subreddits, do this to combat spam, spambots, and other activities that are not condusive to the sub. In the meantime, participate on Reddit to build your acouunt age and this restriction will go away. Also, please familiarize yourself with this subreddit's rules, which you can find in the sidebar or by clicking this link. Do not contact the moderation team unless you feel you have received this message/action in error. We will not manually approve comments or posts from new accounts.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Boring_Business4843@reddit
Ask flight attendant for a screw driver and when they ask why show it to them.
AllAroundGuy85@reddit
“There’s something on the wing!” 😳
799green@reddit
There’s one already missing
nl_Kapparrian@reddit
It's not a great look but it is only a fairing. Non structural aerodynamic piece to reduce drag. The concern would be if they're skimping on this what else are they letting slide?
MSPCincorporated@reddit
Is it concerning that it seems to have been welded on, only for the weld to crack? I mean, it looks like a quick fix to a recurring problem that didn’t work, indicating a lazy attitude towards safety standards. Or is it supposed to be like that?
railker@reddit
If they were welded on we wouldn't need screws, now. That's just sealant between fairing sections that's been painted over, keeps schmuck from getting in the gaps.
lezorn@reddit
This is what I thought. This specifically looks non critical to me but might be indicative of the condition of the rest of the plane including critical systems.
punsnguns@reddit
It is what it is man but if I see it, I am fairing the worst too
Loud_Boysenberry_736@reddit
Are they letting the emergency escape slide?
murfburffle@reddit
Ignoring maintenance on a slide is a slippery slope
calladc@reddit
Weighs too much, removed to save costs on fuel
Petrarch1603@reddit
Also I'd be pretty concerned where those screws fall.
Fun-Time9529@reddit
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
Beautiful_Matter6854@reddit
Yeah losing something like a flap canoe is nbd. But later in the video there are a couple loose on the top of the wing there, right next to what’s probably the edge of the aileron. No skin’s coming off the wing but wouldn’t want anything even remotely loose next to the aileron there where it could bind and restrict a flight control. I bet they sit right down on the ground and look fine so hopefully the pilot can get a copy of the vid to mx and have them check and tighten those specific ones.
Fearless_Swim4080@reddit
My first flight we were doing walk around checks and the instructor said "this is the time to look for any lose or missing screws..." I said "like that one?" and pointed to a hole that was clearly missing a screw and he just said "eh except that one, that's fine." lol.
largemargesentme__-@reddit
It happens on some planes. I used to go fly a Saab 340, it rattled screws loose all the time.
Pletcher87@reddit
The portion pointing back is just stream lining, those are known as ‘canoes’ and house the flap operating apparatus. The airplane can and is certified to fly missing those pieces, the fuel efficiency takes a small hit without them. You should bring attention to it tho, especially the screws on the aft flaps, all these should be caught during inspections.
Mikkel_Ryan@reddit
They're happily dancing - that's a good sign
Small-Road-385@reddit
Not great, but also not a leading edge so probably fine for the flight.
ratherbefuddled@reddit
That seems to be a problem with the left phalange.
DuckSuspicious4001@reddit
If you told the flight attendant I bet her lips were sweating.
merlinunf@reddit
Honestly, just ask for an adult beverage and let it go. Not much can be done in flight. Once ya land, mention it on the way out the door. If you don’t make it, I guess there was nothing you could have done anyway. Flown way too many times to care a whole lot.
darnellcotez@reddit
Why aren't they using Robertson screws?!?, but seriously that looks dubious.
Phrreemn@reddit
I think I flew on that jet to Vegas in 1989
zybcds@reddit
I can’t figure out what’s going on because reddit is full of teenagers who think they’re funny.
Apprehensive_Bee8874@reddit
Walk_of_Shayne@reddit
HAS ANYONE SENT THIS TO MAX?
Mrgray123@reddit
It’s not exactly a critical area but any time you see this you’d really have to wonder what other maintenance isn’t being done properly.
FreeTower4876@reddit
Looks like they need some longer screws
No-Salt7142@reddit
IIRC this is just a fairing around the flap(?) mechanism. Worst case scenario it falls off, but it's not critical.
Actually worst case scenario is that it hits the vertical stabilizer...
Parking_Steak_3490@reddit
That's why they have two wings.
SnooCakes4019@reddit
That spot, not too big of a deal. The problem is that if something so visible was put together that sloppily, what’s wrong behind panels and inside the engine nacelles?
Spobobich@reddit
This video needs a scary looking goblin surprise to pop out!
HopesAnd--Dreams@reddit
Has anyone seen OP anywhere?
zyarva@reddit
one apparently already flew off. Name of the airline please.
PPGkruzer@reddit
Start by contacting your local FSDO and send them this video with details like carrier, date, time, flight, etc. If this is a problem, they will know, and you will be an unsung hero to us all.
bozeek@reddit
Very concerning loose rivets and screws someone is not doing a good job inspecting
PotBaron2@reddit
you mean to tell me there using philips head screws on plane wings
ill-just-buy-more@reddit
Oh that little guy ? Don’t worry about that little guy
Hanoverfist101@reddit
A little speed tape will do.
jmsgen@reddit
Only one fell out you’re fine. Quit worrying about it.
Comfortable-Suit-202@reddit
Loose screws & cracks in the wing….. terrifying & unacceptable!!
CollectionLoose5928@reddit
That’s a pylon cover….yes needs addressed when on the ground next, but likely not going to cause an incident
dagonator@reddit
Meh, that’s why planes have 2 wings. ;)
palbertalamp@reddit
Smoking rivet, ( corrosion) loose, then step two: the aluminum oxide from the right hand side of the oxidation reaction starts seeping out.
WildTomato51@reddit
How do you not mention this to the crew?
Icy_Pineapple_4456@reddit
minor, but QA sucks!
LittleYellowPill@reddit
I'm sure the other wing is much better.
Pleasant_Routine5466@reddit
shouldn't those be rivets? twilight zone it is then
astralseat@reddit
Just needs some duct tape, I MEAN SPEED TAPE
GaryAlm@reddit
Meh it will get fixed on its maintenance cycle…
UserRemoved@reddit
Totally inconsequential those can all fall off without issue and only exist to reduce fuel burn.
UserRemoved@reddit
But I recognized Lion air maintenance when I see it.
A_man_from_america@reddit
I can hear them scream.
SweetToothEra@reddit
Anyone remember ghat Twilight Zone episode where a guy had a window seat and he looked out side and there was this creature on the wing. No one believed him, he was losing his shit on the plane. And when they landed the creature had tore up the plane and people were like..what happend to the wing of the plane...it was that damn creature!!
bill_delong@reddit
There have been several versions of this. The best was William Shatner (Captain Kirk) seeing a harry monster rip apart the wing and engine.
WeekendIndependent41@reddit
I liked the one where John Lithgow was the passenger!
RedSqui@reddit
This is why you should wet seal your hardware.
ErrlRiggs@reddit
Rivets don't compress like bolts or screws but have a greater sheer resistance. As long as they stay in place it's not likely to unfasten but it should be maintenanced
Total-Tap-6435@reddit
Screws are supposed to jiggle like that.
guruizzy@reddit
I mean you're still up in the air so.... wait you are still up in the air right?
Gouzi00@reddit
Venezuela airplane after inspection.
Autismdad2017@reddit
Looks mint to me 🫣
NotSupposeToSpeak@reddit
I’m not getting on an airplane anytime soon
Harley_Mo@reddit
I’m sure that piece is optional
mpw321@reddit
Oh my gosh! What airline? What type of plane?
TheRealShadrach@reddit
Speed tape
OpenlyBiCoastal@reddit
Lion Air - unfortunately this tracks. Indonesian airlines have a spotty record
QueefInMyKisser@reddit
https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-worlds-most-dangerous-airlines-3499008
RedHuey@reddit
If that fairing fell off, it’s not a life threatening event. The problem is the maintenance mindset that allowed that fairing to be so loose. Those are the bolts you see.. There are thousands of others, some very important, that you don’t.
cjfrso209@reddit
It's cool. Don't tweek out on this. Parts fall off of planes all the time. Perfectly normal. Nothing to see here.
flyinganimaga@reddit
I feel like this is either AI or that's absolutely the cleanest window that's ever been on a passenger jet.
Knot-So-FastDog@reddit
I’m surprised there aren’t more comments about it being potentially fake. Maybe there’s just some smoothing/editing going on but the whole video felt very surreal. Also that the camera seems to be able to zoom in and get quite a bit of detail…maybe my phone’s camera is just crappy though lol.
krakatoa83@reddit
It’s all ball bearings
ActualSupervillain@reddit
Huh. I had a task card recently to check the screws on that exact fairing. Different company of course. But those ones, specifically the closest to the body, are right behind the engines on a 737. So they need a lil extra love or else they'll go bye bye
cattyveria@reddit
Damn, that’s some good magnification
Henfri1@reddit
I once saw that a Spoiler was floating a bit Up.
After the flight, I went to the Crew and told them. They were Happy because they now understood, why they needed to trim quote a bit
Chopperjockey12Av@reddit
Very
aaronsourus@reddit
if the flaring comes off and flies into a passenger window - does that change the math a little bit
skernstation@reddit
I would shit my pants
demonknightdk@reddit
Now I'm not an aviation anything, let alone an expert, but I feel like those should be rivets not Philips head screws... my 15 john boat was riveted...
jeders21@reddit
The part they are attaching has to be removed regularly for inspections and maintenance.
demonknightdk@reddit
Thank you, did not know that.
k12pcb@reddit
Send it
SuitableOkra1040@reddit
Funny looking rivets.
Straight-Bad-3304@reddit
I told someone on a theme park ride that bolts were lose on my ride. He shrugged and let the next group on
dariansdad@reddit
And now imagine all the loose screws you can't see...
Just_Ducky1945@reddit
Not concerning at all. I'm on my couch. In my bunker. 😆
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AutoModerator@reddit
Your post/comment has been automatically removed due to Low Effort. I am an automated system.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
ParticularAgile4314@reddit
there is always a few extra screws
Shart_InTheDark@reddit
Person filming to stewardess: "That wing looks like it's about to fall off in mid-air, alert the pilot STAT!". Stewardess, "Don't worry, our pilots are used to just winging-it"
Nearby-Run1078@reddit
Not concerning at all
Dragon_figure@reddit
Better have a WINGMAN
yewtoo22@reddit
At least it was behind the engine
jclv@reddit
Just cover them with speed tape, it'll be fine.
Comfortable_Dish_905@reddit
Definitely load bearing screws.
Ok-Skill9276@reddit
As the plane is in the air. Oh jeez.
xXMLGDESTXx@reddit
I mean they aren't rotating...
Scout_Owl@reddit
https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/6312/why-are-airplanes-riveted-and-not-screwed?utm_source=copilot.com
Swimming-Extent-7983@reddit
fear not, the plane will simply grow a new wing, and everything will be fine.
carozza1@reddit
You don't need to be an aviation expert to understand this one.
AodhRuadh@reddit
Screw here. Nothing to be concerned about we just sometimes like to get a little jiggy with it
kotor3please@reddit
Freak the fuck out.
Emotional-Ad-6494@reddit
What’s the airline and flight number?
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AutoModerator@reddit
Your comment or post has been automatically removed from /r/aviation. Posts/Comments from new accounts are automatically removed by our automated systems. We, and many other large subreddits, do this to combat spam, spambots, and other activities that are not condusive to the sub. In the meantime, participate on Reddit to build your acouunt age and this restriction will go away. Also, please familiarize yourself with this subreddit's rules, which you can find in the sidebar or by clicking this link. Do not contact the moderation team unless you feel you have received this message/action in error. We will not manually approve comments or posts from new accounts.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
muterock45@reddit
Someone page airplanefactswithmax so we can get some lotr lore to go with it.
Short360@reddit
Very unsafe need a emergency landing
tdurden_@reddit
Its all the missing things you cant see that you should worry about
Fun_Stock7078@reddit
Seen this months ago, there was a totally normal explanation for it.
Rooster5243@reddit
Them shits fall off all of the time. No big deal.
bjornb77@reddit
This part serves purely aerodynamic purposes. If it were to fall off, it would be more dangerous for people on the ground where it lands than for the plane itself; the plane would simply continue on to its destination.
switchedonswan@reddit
it's probably fine
bjornb77@reddit
Er bare rent aerodynamisk nytteverdi av denne delen. Ramla den av er det farligere for folk på bakken der den kommer ned en for flyet, den fortsetter bare til destinasjonen sin.
boxedfoxes@reddit
This is literally letting Jesus take the wheel. Given that you posted this. I assume you made it.
Puzzleheaded-Art1288@reddit
Yikes!
Rickest_Rik@reddit
Dzus fasteners rattle its fine.
Prudent_Handle_2@reddit
Broken sealant and popped nut plates most likely. Its probably ok but id def say something to the flight attendant or the pilot so it can get fixxed
Top-Impression8021@reddit
This plane doesn't even have a phalange!
Intrepid-War-4630@reddit
Must be American Airlines.. 🤣🤣
CompetitionOk2302@reddit
Lion Air, a low-cost airline based in Indonesia. How old is that jet? Lion Air has a history of acquiring used aircraft from other airlines. While the airline is now famous for massive orders of brand-new jets from Boeing and Airbus, its development has included several second-hand acquisitions.
New_Westie@reddit
Where’s Greg Feith when you need him?!
darrenkopp@reddit
nothing wrong with a little bit of rivet riverdance
ImTheJewgernaut@reddit
That cracked me up 😂
DrewDinDin@reddit
im assuming you landed so its ok for now i guess.
TheGenkz@reddit
People are rightfully pointing out that this is a non-essential part, but couldn't a screw coming loose mid-flight potentially hit something that is essential? I wouldn't want a sharp piece of metal to be inadvertently launched into a window for example.
Zestyclose-Ad7911@reddit
AI
Wonderful-Army-8794@reddit
Get your speed handle with the Apex bit and tighten them up.
yetonemorerusername@reddit
One screw? Not that much. One screw, two screw, three screw you screwed. Each missing screw puts more stress on the others, allows wiggle room that can lead to stress fractures in other screw holes that can tear and cause premature metal fatigue and failure. Each screw was deemed necessary to distribute the load. Believe me, if Boeing or AirBus could save the the cost of one screw the would.
KrackenLovesSkittles@reddit
DID ANYONE NOTICE THE MISSING SCREWS??? NOT JUST 1 SCREW BUT SEVERAL. WATCH AS THEY PAN OUT. WTF??
rhythim313@reddit
My best friend's dad was in the Air Nat'l Guard for a while, and made transatlantic flights on C130s. Said their in-flight entertainment was watching rivets turn in the deck.
2a3b66725@reddit
Actually, I’m not concerned at all. I’m not on the plane and it’s not flying over my house…..
RuseArcher@reddit
Aviation expert here, planes only do this when they're very nervous, so this one needs to get back into its resting nook to recover and calm down
AskingFooAFriend@reddit
Final Destination: Airplane Edition
DataPhreak@reddit
I recommend that you leave immediately.
WaySuch296@reddit
Looks like the piece of gum fell off.
DesertRunnerX@reddit
Looks like a well maintained plane
Grundy420blazin@reddit
I wasn’t even aware that they used screws on planes anymore or at all 🤣 i thought it was all rivets after touring an airplane auto body shop
Kia3D@reddit
Relax guy, those bolts are having a little fun
Ratiofarming@reddit
Up to 0:14 - not a big problem
After that - bigger problem
I would have told the crew so they can have maintenance fix it for the next flight. And also express after the flight that a maintenance schedule where something like this is possible doesn't align with your expectation of the airline. They might give you some freebies to calm you down, but honestly I'd do it more for them to really get that this is serious. And then still not fly with them again.
hrrsnfsh@reddit
My father works as an inspector for aerospace parts… and doesn’t fly.
UnlikelyAd5326@reddit
very very concerning
walnut_creek@reddit
No worries. That engine will fly you all the way to the scene of the crash.
JMarv615@reddit
But did you die?
dragonaut55@reddit
I used to clean airplanes and I remember seeing mechanics tightening screws with just their fingers, not even bothering to use the screwdriver that was in the bag right next to them
papahead135@reddit
You only need one wing to fly
slogive1@reddit
All normal. Your good.
Main-Video-8545@reddit
It’s a rivet! No worries at all.
TheMILKMan6646@reddit
Pretty sure that's just a cowling. If it was anything structural or important I wouldn't be using screws. It'd probably be riveted or something would not bolted maybe
TheMILKMan6646@reddit
That being said, it's probably going to Bonk someone right in the head
MaterialDull9480@reddit
mrhudy@reddit
Not great; won’t* kill you.
(*probably won’t)
Continental-IO520@reddit
Probably not ideal but that's a flap canoe, pretty sure that can be MEL'd
PowerResponsibility@reddit
I was on some kind of smaller commuter-type flight some years ago where I was seated with a good view out the window of one of the landing gear (I'm not in aviation and I have no idea what kind of plane it was). When we took off, I looked over and noticed that there was a little smoke that came off the wheel. I kind of shrugged it off as probably typical and the flight was uneventful. Then, when we landed, I was watching again and not only did it smoke, it also caught fire and one (?) of the tires started shredding. No one else seemed to notice and we taxied to where we were getting out just fine, somehow (this was many years ago and my memory is hazy). I mentioned it to one of the crew on the way out of the plane. Have no idea what happened after that.
Which-Forever-1873@reddit
Wiggle wiggle said the plane frame.
chwk_throwaway1@reddit
did they make it?
7orly7@reddit
My only concerns would be them coming loose and staying at the ground and get sucked by a turbine of another plane once this lands
kittycatpattywacko@reddit
That’s why they use rivets instead of welding the panels together. Perfectly safe
cuck__everlasting@reddit
Philips head though, really?
Broad-Cycle5777@reddit
Final Destination 8
Hycran@reddit
If the screws come out then the plane has speed holes which everyone knows makes the plane go faster.
Classic-Smile-6909@reddit
Missing rivets, shaking rivets, what else is rattling around?
CCCPvibesHere@reddit
Its pretty bad. As a load agent doing my inspection I would cal tech ops and any lose screw to be fixed
Lucky_Ad5440@reddit
If he post it he survived!
WolfDreamPack@reddit
Duct tape can fix that in few seconds, just ask someone to open the door and off you go.
idle_husband@reddit
All right. Who marked their screw holes in pencil?
CharAznableLoNZ@reddit
Spare part weight reduction feature.
Miao_Yin8964@reddit
I hope to god this is AI
Rare_Glass4907@reddit
Years ago on my first ever flight I saw this happening around the engine with oil running out of one of the screws I called the hostess and she told me not to worry!!! Needless to say I did worry but we landed safely.
OllieOptVuur@reddit
Sichuan Airlines…..
fracture2@reddit
Bulb seal retainer screws. Be alright.
Kakoofficial@reddit
How did you even spot it? Its really impressive tbh
charles_47@reddit
Screws not tightened down properly on an aerodynamic fairing isn’t a big concern. Bigger concern is the lack of care and proper workmanship from whoever put it on… they might have the same approach when working on something that matters.
apela0@reddit
Don’t worry, as long as the other wing is good, you should be fine.
EnlightenedArt@reddit
Needs some go fast tape
Nonzerob@reddit
The second spot is on the flap, but at the trailing edge the negative pressure generated by the upper surface of the wing isn't as strong so the skin shouldn't have a particularly large force on it upwards or aftwards except takeoff and landing. Landing will be harder on this but it should be fine. Looks like only a couple screws and they have more than they strictly need for this reason. The other spot is just an aero cover for the flap mechanism and it falling off would only add a bit of drag. Still dangerous for people on the ground or if not taken care of and you should show a crewmember to make sure the maintenance crew finds out.
NorthSpecialist6064@reddit
That's screwed up
Here_4_the_INFO@reddit
If the wing has a few screws loose, no problem. However, if the Pilot has a few screws loose, big problem.
OohDeLaLi@reddit
Flying Boeing?
Future_Trade@reddit
It will be ok, but by the black residue around these screws, they have been loose for a while. They should have been noticed and fixed by now.
If they were to completely fallout and that panel were to fly off and somehow get sucked into the engine, you still would have a very high chance of landing safely.
SnooFoxes3615@reddit
Nothing a little bit of speed tape can’t fix.
stormblaz@reddit
They will slap some Airplane tape and send it on its way
Fragrant_Arrival3428@reddit
OF COURSE IT IS LION AIR
Slow_Balance270@reddit
My Mother works in the FFA and she asked why theyre using screws instead of rivits.
Not_A_Russain_Bot@reddit
No worries mate. They have reduncancies on these planes. If one wing falls off you still got the other one.
RobertLyndonDavis@reddit
I feel like all the people commenting here that it's just the flap fairing didn't watch to the end of the video.
Aromatic_Advance6026@reddit
Did you pray today?
PeterBohr@reddit
Hope you were safe. This seem pretty bad. Tag the airline and also report to the aviation authorities of your country. Also who uses Phillips head screws.
rstaccini@reddit
It’s probably fine, there must be a reason there’s two wings in the first place…
ncort_red@reddit
AlarmDozer@reddit
Why are you asking us? Share with the flight crew so maintenance can check.
ThrustFlightAcademy@reddit
While not a great look (you're posting this due to being concerned/anxious, which is never what a pilot/airline wants their passengers to feel), it's not structurally going to impact your flight AKA you are safe.
Do raise it to a flight attendant or the employee at the gate when exciting however as maintenance ought to do a check.
ToolTimeT@reddit
This isn't real
FYA666@reddit
C'est pas le métal qui se rétracte à cause du froid à haute altitude ??
DocAce78@reddit
Worry only about rivets. Screws aren't used for parts crucial for flight.
Efficient-Focus747@reddit
Very
Fun-Time9529@reddit
it would have to produce several hundred newtons of upwards energy in order to bypass air resistance and fly out of the hole. just saying, theres no need to screw these things in at all.
Fun-Time9529@reddit
not at all.
greasy_paint@reddit
thats what that wing duck tape is for!
Blackrevenge34@reddit
u gon die, be prepared
UsefulEngine1@reddit
This video is riveting
Foolserrand376@reddit
screw you Phillip...
fenwyk@reddit
Did a gremlin on the wing do this?
Old_Valuable_3196@reddit
Preflight anyone?
DasistMamba@reddit
- Flight attendant, could I have some tomato juice and a cross-shaped screwdriver, please?
LoneClap@reddit
Those are just to secure panels. They are heavily redundant. These are not structural and they get worn very easily.
7thpixel@reddit
therendevouswithfish@reddit
It looks scary. But should be no issue if it falls off, just fuel savings and cosmetic
rasgriss@reddit
Of course it's lion air, why am I even surprised at this point
LaTommysfan@reddit
I was on a small commercial jet, I looked out the window and saw oil running down the engine cowl. I watched for a while then called the fa, he looked out the window and then went up to the cockpit. Pretty soon the oil stopped and then I was really feeling worried. Fortunately nothing happened and I got to my destination unscathed.
PartyBusGaming@reddit
This thread gives me some vindication. Saw something similar out the window with a bunch of screws visibly moving around and my wife didn't want me to tell the flight attendant but I did.
strangemedia6@reddit
Pilots here, when you are in training, is there a section/class that trains you in things that can fall of and not be a big deal vs things that are a big deal if the fall off?
WhatsUpSteve@reddit
How about nothing falling off during flight.
strangemedia6@reddit
Hey folks, we got a perfectionist over here! lol
HNL2BOS@reddit
anything falling off a plane in flight could be a danger. while this is an extra aerodynamic feature to help cover the mechanical parts underneath it shouldn't case too many issues if it fell off. it's on the trailing edge, so notuch chance it ends up in the engine...I guess it could always damage the aft end flying surfaces. the biggest danger though it that thing falling on unsuspecting people and property on the ground.....so many not a huge risk in the air, a lot of risk on the ground. best to still tell someone on the flight/ground asap.
GeneralChoo@reddit
It's got hydraulic fluid if it's leaking - CH53 Mechanic.
InternalFigure5631@reddit
There still there right? It's not structural, lol.
Voodoo_One@reddit
If it's like my ex, who also had some screws loose, you are in danger.
Helpmehelpyoulong@reddit
Bet your ex was a fire lay though. Ya know what they say - “Grippy socks, grippy box”
IlVeroStronzo@reddit
Dang, screw that!
ErgoNomicNomad@reddit
Behind every beautiful woman is a man who is sick of her crap.
neverbadnews@reddit
Sounds like you married my ex. 😱
_austinm@reddit
Did you both marry my ex?😅
3bugsdad@reddit
But I bet the ride had its its moments.
scully360@reddit
Underrated comment.
mwm0017@reddit
Great view though!
Ronerus79@reddit
Contratulations! You post fits in #sweatypalms
DesignerLime268@reddit
If a panal or two falls off you should still be fine, it will not compromise the integrity of the airframe, but if to many panels fall of because of the lose screws, you may produce less lift.
Salty-Pack-4165@reddit
There is a whole lot of fasteners on aircraft that rattle while in flight. This is why great many fasteners have some kind of safety wires/clip/etc to prevent them from undoing themselves. That play has limits and they are never zero-there is always some play allowed for flex and spread of mechanical forces.
Here is an analogy to bridges -if bridge was made rigid it would be destroyed in short order. If it's made not flexible enough bridge will be damaged eventually by low temperature,mechanical forces generated during overload or any number of random causes.
dudezillah@reddit
Tweet the airline on social media, they should sort it out as only thing they hate is bad press.
JollyAd5257@reddit
looks like broken nut plates not that flight critical but should be taken care of.
trendingtattler@reddit
Welcome to r/aviation - you’re likely here from r/all or r/popular.
We’re glad you’re here. This community is focused on aviation: aircraft, incidents, operations, and the people who keep it all moving.
Due to the surge in traffic, Seatbelts Fastened is now enabled and Crowd Control settings have been increased. That means:
Some comments may be filtered or require manual approval. Participation may be limited for very new or low-karma accounts.
This helps keep discussions informed, on-topic, and readable for everyone.
A few quick reminders:
Keep it aviation-focused. No politics or religion. No low-effort or inflammatory comments.
If you’re here to learn, contribute, or ask thoughtful questions - you’re in the right place.
Thanks for being here,
- The Mod Team
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Global_Curve1373@reddit
What airline is this?
RangerSad3081@reddit
not ideal
Impressive-Elk-8101@reddit
Not concerning at all. Its common. Screws working loose eventually have to be tightened down or replaced.
loasdrums@reddit
Those are not screws. I forget the correct name for those type of fasteners but they lock and unlock with a push in and a quarter/90% turn. The spring those come with are not very strong and the tolerances can be wide. That allows them to move around a bunch.
20 years ago I used work planes and helicopters, but not that frame.
Megalodon7770@reddit
I stopped flying long ago
ynotbrowse@reddit
Not an expert but dont they use rivots on planes externally. I would be more concerned about the weld thats not there.
Gunung_Krakatoa@reddit
It will be fixed just before landing 😁
Mental_Thing_7899@reddit
Where's my chewing gums?
astralchanterelle@reddit
I don't see any aviation experts in the video.
EL_DUD3R@reddit
Those screws have at least another 30-40 hours left before they need to be tightened up (s)
Bard---@reddit
you are cooked
drpedrico@reddit
Fun fact: there are more aircrafts under the sea than ships on the sky.
keithstonee@reddit
If you're in the air it's probably fine. The chances they actually missed a problem is very very low, but not zero.
Nathan_Wildthorn@reddit
Meh... but... 🤔
3417-@reddit
One of those Navy playnes where the wings fold up to save space on a carrier. I’m jealous.
Kookaburra8@reddit
That is a flap track fairing, providing aerodynamic protection to the mechanical components which move the wing's trailing edges to move when taking off or landing. They are not structural, just aerodynamic.
GantzHunter_Apex@reddit
Those canoe fairing bolts are holding on for dear life, lmfao.
Sea_Pomegranate8229@reddit
Not an issue. Dancing rivets were the in-flight entertainment on the old Herons and Devons.
Ecthelion-O-Fountain@reddit
At first, I saw the broken weld and the shaking screws and I was like oh shit this is actually a problem. Then I saw it was on a flap fairing. I mean it’s not the way it should be but if that fell off, it’s really not gonna be a problem.
Sea_Sheepherder_2966@reddit
get out the duct or gorilla tape or exit the aircraft ?
DolphinsBreath@reddit
Nothing a move to a seat across the aisle won’t fix.
Buzz407@reddit
Maintained and inspected by Aerosucre.
Samesone2334@reddit
Those bolts are just happy to see you 🥴
james_d21@reddit
Of course this is with an Indonesian airline and its Lion air. Hope the missed the livestock on landing too
Easy_Arugula935@reddit
If it has screws then it's meant to come off.
If it has bolts then it's not meant to come off.
JadedJared@reddit
It’s concerning
BrickTuffy5@reddit
This must have been a riveting experience.
Agent7619@reddit
Screw you.
QuestionSociety101@reddit
Say what you want but in the long run this is terrible.
Constant vibrations and abrasion, metal fatigue incoming asap no matter how you look at it.
CensoredbytheGOP@reddit
Everyday we stray closer to orks from 40k
.
SuspiciousArt7316@reddit
The one furthest away was already thrown into the big storage bin.
louki11@reddit
By itself its nothing. But it also means that the plane is maintained either by idiots or in a location where they can’t do it properly, and that is concerning.
misha_jinx@reddit
Very
PigSlam@reddit
Are you dead yet? Let us know if you die.
Major_Shop_4942@reddit
If you don't want the fairing to fly off, it's pretty concerning since loose screws are absorbing shear and can fail, but it's just an aerodynamic cover for the rails, on which the flaps are sliding. If it was ripped off, it would mean more drag, higher fuel consumption, but wouldn't be catastrophic. Unless it hits the horizontal stabilizer while passing it. Even in that scenario, I doubt it would cause fatal damage, since leading edges are not made out of sheet metal like the fairing and the hydraulic lines are buried deep enough, not to be bothered by this. I would be nervous watching this though. NGL.
No_Researcher_4294@reddit
Medium-high
Acceptable-Heron6839@reddit
This is riveting
Sea-Jackfruit411@reddit
Delta, is that you?
Substantial-Middle-7@reddit
Kinda missing a screw at the top of the beginning of the video
IckyBB@reddit
I know very little about aviation and engineering so I apologize for the stupid question.
Could you just weld the screws/bolts I'm place so they don't loosen?
jimbojsb@reddit
Sure. But then how would you taken them out? They’re screws for a reason.
IckyBB@reddit
Yeah for sure. I just figured if you weld em you can secure the wing for the flight then fix later haha
Neworbs@reddit
The real horror is seeing Philips heads fasteners.
DageezerUs@reddit
Dzus Fasteners, not screws. Concern level = 0
Visual_Swimming7090@reddit
The RTV will keep it together until sheetmetal shop decides to replace the nut plates.
SerDuckOfPNW@reddit
Those may not be "loose" as in, about to fall out.
Sometimes, you get a blue-falcon that just shanks the fuck out of the screw. Not loose, but not holding anything either.
Checked-Out@reddit
It's very concerning. Not so much the importance of what is loose but if that isn't done up properly, what the hell else is not done up properly.
Realistic_Shallot184@reddit
545EB
ryguymcsly@reddit
I’ve seen this video before, a person with more experience said it’s a fairing and while that is concerning it presents no real risk to the flight. I believe another mechanic came in and said that should be flagged for maintenance and he’d just fix the screws and add some speed tape and send it on its way to be fixed the next time it is due for maintenance.
aiwasnevermeanttobe@reddit
"Here's the screwdriver. Get on it lad"
Cressh2@reddit
Check out the duck tape
Tengukittycat@reddit
Worst case scenario, the fairing (actually a radome) flies off, hits the horizontal stabilizer, fragments, then jams up your elevator, throwing the aircraft into a nose dive to your eventual fiery end.
In reality, it’ll hold on and if not, it’ll just be a DOPP in some farmer’s field. I wouldn’t worry too much, but do mention it to the flight attendant.
mtbtec@reddit
Stick a little RTV in there. Should be fine.
No_Nebula_1268@reddit
no worries. they can just duct tape over it
Simple-Aspect-649@reddit
Did OP land yet?
BasisTraditional3650@reddit
Not at all. This happenes all the time.-former aircraft maintainer
REDDITCEOSUXDICK@reddit
if it has visible scres it's not integral to flight
NetFu@reddit
You always mention this stuff to staff on the flight.
But, honestly, I've flown in dozens of countries, and on smaller regional flights in poorer countries, it's not surprising. Context is important. Where is this?
Like, if I saw this on one of my regional flights in Viet Nam, like when we flew from Saigon to Da Nang, I wouldn't have been surprised. There were buildings in both cities that looked far worse than this. Large buildings.
But, if everything looks new as it did on those flights, and I saw this, I'd be concerned because that doesn't look new or well taken care of. I'm assuming the rest of that plane looked as beaten up, maybe clean but beaten up, as what I see in that picture.
It's all about context. If everything inside and out looks poorly maintained, why did you get on that plane? No choice? Well, you took the risk.
All that being said, you tell them if something looks like it's about to fall off, because you trusted them and took that risk. You have to trust them to fix it. Anybody else who does, you don't want to end up dead because you didn't say anything.
If they just kind of blow it off and say it's all good, then maybe your trust in them was misplaced and you shouldn't fly with them again?
Financial_Suit789@reddit
Sometimes things come loose. It is a 550 knot breeze.
ThickRemote8810@reddit
Those are aerospace grade mcjigglers, totally fine.
MajesticPersimmon530@reddit
The first screw on the fairing is already missing/flown off so it's highly likely others will follow suit eventually if unchecked. You also notice that the gap/crack is wider on the faring where the missing screw is .. so there is significant sheer force on it.
What appears more concerning to me is the loose screw around the 0:20 second mark is directly on the wing surface and not faring. That would be more of an issue no?
FabricationLife@reddit
It's probably fine 👀
randymysteries@reddit
Boeing?
ruipmjorge@reddit
Don’t worry. This is just for the exterior panels. They are not needed, it’s just to look better.
AccomplishedWolf8204@reddit
def needs to be reported directly to the FAA! now....
HornyErmine@reddit
Well... that's why it has two wings...
MiG719@reddit
what airline is this?
timbetimbe@reddit
They are just shivering because it's cold outside. Roll down the window and let them in
rkb12345@reddit
At least it’s behind the engine.
Lrrr81@reddit
That plane is clearly screwed!
Uh... I mean unscrewed.
Dammit, now I've gone and confused myself.
miianwilson@reddit
0%
KindGuy1978@reddit
I saw this happen on multiple bolts when flying on a vintage C-47 press trip about 20 years ago. As a pilot, this scared the shit outta me.
Glittering_Pin8232@reddit
Rivet Popper Hypothesis ?
TallGuy01234@reddit
This brings back a memory. In 1979 I was stationed in Okinawa. A planeload of service men and women on Flying Tigers Airline (At the time their claim to fame was “the world’s largest cargo airline) I was seated over the wing. Every rivet in the wing was doing this! I was very happy to get off the plane in Okinawa!
whodidntante@reddit
I would have a moderate level of concern.
Dawg_in_NWA@reddit
You either land, or its not your problem anymore.
No_Criticism_5861@reddit
Yeah the first thing im doing is calling over a flight attendant who can accurately describe it to the pilot.
If the pilot starts to bring the plane down fast, you know the answer :)
Unusual-Heat8967@reddit
Is in need of new nut plates and check for chafing on bones area of nut plate. Repair of out of limit fastener holes ( carbon fiber plies to reinforce those oversized holes) . It's evident there was no sealant to bond the tail cones to the aft flap. Not serious to the integrity of the aircrafts performance, but to the performance of the structures aerodynamics of limiting drag. If any errors please come in and correct. Have a good day. Composite Tech, Aircraft Mechanic, Structures mechanic for 13 so years of experience.
No_Statement_3719@reddit
Takeoff’s are optional, but, Landing’s are Mandatory.
Kayato601@reddit
As a pedestrian walking down the street, how much should a screw like that worry me?
titlrequired@reddit
A lot of planes are built so the wings don’t fall off.
Zintoatree@reddit
Not terrible, not great...... it's fine.
PckMan@reddit
Not very but it's not great. It's not threatening the safety of the aircraft but still if something comes off it could damage or even kill people on the ground.
soundguyjon@reddit
I'd recommend strapping on that parachute and disembarking the aircraft immediately.
ncc81701@reddit
Here's a tip.... if you have time to take a picture, upload it to the internet and ask if it'll be a problem it's not. Because if it's something that will cause the plane to crash, it'll happen so fast you wouldn't have time to do any of that.
Laymanao@reddit
When a fastener works its way loose, you can only really re fasten it once or twice. The vibrations working on large area flat panels are such that the fasteners work loose and then grinds away to render the original holes too large for a tight fit. Different manufacturers have specifications and instructions on how to remedy it. You cannot just retighten it over and over and hope for the best. But the pictures suggest urgent remedial action is warranted.
DecelerationTrauma@reddit
Don't worry, the plane will always make it all the way to the crash site.
encantoMariposa@reddit
No one here going to talk about airplane facts with max and a 5 minute summary of the history of Gondor
Correct_Coat7164@reddit
Fine from MEL point of view
Madmaxdriver2@reddit
On a 1-10 scale it is a 1
Naughty_Monsters@reddit
Sure they'll just put that shiny tape over it until its next overhaul anyway.
Agitated_Carrot9127@reddit
Not at all concerning as long it’s after engine inlet. You’re good. If it’s before engine inlet. You may raise a concern but they’d probably put in mechanics work order request
Terminal_Phase@reddit
Where’s Max the airplane facts guy when you need him?
Gloomy_Bag4354@reddit
A fairing that is soon to be in someone’s backyard and they will think it’s some kind of alien device
chaosmages@reddit
I mean if they don't know what it is, it technically is a UFO (even if the F stands for Falling and not Flying).
Swimming_Agent_1063@reddit
Is fine
Careless_Interview_2@reddit
It's fine, you'll be fine, it's fine
What airline was that?
Accomplished_Speed39@reddit
Good thing it is rotating both ways, you still have a chance.
spmbx@reddit
Not sure but you have a pretty good camera?
D3struct_oh@reddit
Trains are looking sexier every day.
Jaskorinn@reddit
looks like normal wear from rivets flexing aviation normal not concerning
TypicalRecon@reddit
This plane doesn’t even have Falanges!
davefish77@reddit
dragonstar982@reddit
Why does this remind me of Chalks ocean airways 101
ToughMemory7905@reddit
RIP to you
Disastrous_Case9297@reddit
[One Winged F15]()
From the weirdwings sub
totallywildwes@reddit
Slap some duct tape on it.
punkslaot@reddit
Mildly concerning. I wonder what's wiggling around on the inside
GUNGHO917@reddit
It’s their first flight. I’d be nervous, too, but, I’m sure they’ll hold it together
Winged_Cougar1993598@reddit
Not very.
That's just a fairing. If it came off, there's almost no negative impact. Plane would lose a bit of fuel efficiency.
Mikhael747@reddit
Just discreetly pass a note to the crew that the L/H, I/B flap, O/B rear fairing has loose fasteners. They'll know what to do....
piscator21@reddit
Trailing edge you're OK
VolumeAcademic6962@reddit
This is a repost. Third world air service? Def not a US based courier.
Snow-Crash-42@reddit
The top screw already appears to be missing
capebretoncanadian@reddit
I wouldn't be worried about crashing or whatever but that first part looks like shit. The weld is cracked all the way around and looks like every one of those screws/bolts is loose. Seems like a hazard for people on the ground more than anything.
Cool-Contribution292@reddit
It’s just a crappy applied bead of sealant that’s been painted over years ago. That fairing is probably been on and off 100 times since that sealant was first applied.
capebretoncanadian@reddit
So it is. I think the reflectiveness on the edge made me think metal.
TheUnexpectedSleeper@reddit
r/shittyaskflying is gonna have fun
Critical-Club-1010@reddit
Sergeantm4@reddit
u/savevideo
SaveVideo@reddit
View link
Info | Feedback | Donate | DMCA | ^(reddit video downloader) | ^(twitter video downloader)
deepfry_me@reddit
I'm not concerned at all. But I'm not on the plane.
Tiny-Ad-830@reddit
Not at all concerning. Those rivets are designed to not attach tightly to allow for some flexing.
sparklepilot@reddit
Unless it’s the jackscrew…should be fine 🫣
RBDK@reddit
Well... It's still flying, right?
Unusual_Specialist@reddit
In Russia; that’s normal.
exitcactus@reddit
Seems one is already gone.. btw
Free_Director2809@reddit
Don't freak out now, but......this is so funny. I've seen way way worse...as in screw heads glued in to more than 50% of the hardware on wing panels. If that fairing fell off, it wouldn't be the worst that's happened.
Lecsofej@reddit
Let’s say…. it’s concerning…
exitcactus@reddit
According to this sub: nothing some speed tape can't fix.
NY1_S33@reddit
Is this in
A. America B. Russia C. North Korea
Without turning audio on.
SK331@reddit
D. Indonesia
Independent_Break351@reddit
Slap some speed tape on it and call it a day!
pavelowdriver@reddit
That's a cover for the flap jack-screws. Not necessary for flight so rumbly rivets is not a big deal.
Flyby-1000@reddit
Not...... Not concerning at all really.
It'll be addressed (rubber nutted, ITKYK) in the next C-check. 😁
Plenty-Design-9873@reddit
It is just a cover for the flap tracks. Nothing to worry about.
montagious@reddit
And that entire cover can be missing, and the aircraft can be dispatched, its called a CDL item if you wanna google it.
Robin0427@reddit
Yuh safe.....just some loose screws/rivets
SimulationPC@reddit
anchor nuts broken
montagious@reddit
Not at all, considering the number of those that are on the entire airplane. If it was the one right behind it though, the wing would come off and you'd be dead!
Brantley820@reddit
This is when that tape will come into play I imagine.
Candle-Jolly@reddit
Cosmetic.
TGPT-4o@reddit
The screw missing is concerning mainly because it makes me question the overall maintenance and if they might be missing something bigger. Overall it isn’t a good look not because it is necessarily dangerous, but because it brings into question how relaxed their maintenance may be. It’s not that hard to tighten/replace screws. I hope they are tightening/replacing bolts.
Gunpowderwigg@reddit
It’s not going to bring the aircraft down is it now?
Own_Scholar_7996@reddit
Well, it's a pretty big problem, even if not for your flight.
Shit like this falls off on runways during TOLs and another plane can run it over or suck it into an engine.
See Air France Flight 4590.
OnceFastManny@reddit
Apply some of the Red Loctite and it will be as good as new.
Kayaksteve79@reddit
Would be more worried about being on the ground and being skilled when it falls off
Weak_Tangerine_6316@reddit
It’s an aerodynamic fairing. If the piece fell off the plane would burn ~0.1% more fuel. Most crews used in aviation have some sort of retention mechanism so they are very unlikely to fully come undone.
pl0nk@reddit
“crews used in aviation have some sort of retention mechanism so they are very unlikely to fully come undone”
I know you’re talking about screws here but this is a pretty funny typo.
Weak_Tangerine_6316@reddit
LOL. no other equivalent job prospects is our retention mechanism
Cool-Contribution292@reddit
No they will back all the way out. Look closely there’s one already missing. The nut plates do have a friction torque feature, but these obviously are worn out.
Weak_Tangerine_6316@reddit
Saw the missing screw. Lots of vibration and no rotation of the screw heads in the vid. Not sure 🤷♂️
DanThePilot_Mann@reddit
Precisely 0% concerning.
TrekkieVanDad@reddit
I find the serenity prayer is helpful in these situations. Accept the things you cannot change. Lol
directheated@reddit
Insanity later
JustCallMeYogurt@reddit
I can hear Georges dad, SERENITY NOW!
BoringBob84@reddit
Remember to have the wisdom to know the difference. In this case, there is nothing that OP can do to fix the problem during the flight, but OP can notify the crew so that maintenance can fix it for subsequent flights.
definitelyainoreally@reddit
of course its lion air
narwalfarts@reddit
I must say I'm shocked to see this is Lion Air.
billynoy522@reddit
How many other screws are like that!!! Lol.
Secondary structure that is removed all the time to lube/inspect the flaps. Not really an issue
zerbey@reddit
It's not structural so you're not in any danger, but it does make me wonder what else isn't properly bolted down that you can't see.
MatthiasMcLaurbrin@reddit
I am by no means an expert and by that I mean no experience at all but here is my professional opinion .
Send someone out the emergency hatch to tighten those down ASAP
experimental1212@reddit
This video contains no aviation experts
MovingInStereoscope@reddit
It also gets reposted somewhat frequently
darkenthedoorway@reddit
Neither does the sub apparently.
doginjoggers@reddit
No concern at all, just a fairing
NoSpinach1082@reddit
On a scale of 1 to 10, this is an 11
redp1ne@reddit
That is not very typical. Normally the back does not fall off.
Meshugugget@reddit
Usually the front falls off
redp1ne@reddit
Its probably not as safe as the other ones
High_AspectRatio@reddit
IlVeroStronzo@reddit
OMG! Screw that!!
Av8Xx@reddit
hardware loosens with vibration. no biggie.
couchpatat0@reddit
You'll be the first one to the crash scene if it is a thing!
Ok-Improvement2528@reddit
Don't worry, it's only esthetic...
ScaryDuck2@reddit
If I had a dollar for every time I saw this post on the sub.
Maybe the mods could actually delete shit like this instead of putting effort into that dumb karma farming bot
cyberentomology@reddit
Such a riveting clip!
BeepBorpBeepBorp@reddit
Come on… quit screwing around…
veritasinfinium@reddit
Just slap some speed tape on the son of a bitch.
KarmaCommando_@reddit
I'd be more worried about FOD on a runway than anything that would actually affect that airplane
Open-Cream2823@reddit
Just hope that the pilot doesn't have any screws loose as well
theeaglejax@reddit
More of an issue for whoever is hit on the ground if it falls off than it will be for the plane.
Naive-Estimate9942@reddit
Tell the pilot and see his reaction
Hank_moody71@reddit
On a percentage of how concerning- zero
Left-Escape@reddit
thehorselesscowboy@reddit
Those ones are just on break. They'll be back to work in 10.
WangtaWang@reddit
Lion Air FTW.
pyahyakr@reddit
I better turn on the news
ColHRFrumpypants@reddit
Depends on the route, so long as there’s no risk of me being hit by a screw traveling 400 mph , I’m entirely unconcerned..
beliefinphilosophy@reddit
You mean I read all of these comments and not a single deep dive about Lord of the rings.
I'm extremely disappointed.
DisjointedHuntsville@reddit
What's more concerning is this should have been caught in pre-flight or other routine inspection prior to flight.
If this got through . . .i'm concerned about what else did.
BoringBob84@reddit
Without the vibration from turbulence in flight, it would be difficult to detect loose screws with only a visual inspection.
Substantial-Doubt258@reddit
Don’t know how you could have found this on a preflight. I’m 6 feet tall and those are over my head. MX on the other hand sure…
Certified-T-Rex@reddit
Bro is living the Final Destination movie
TeslaPittsburgh@reddit
Betcha ask for the aisle seat next time, eh?
Marsupialize@reddit
A 1.7 out of 10
1d3r1ng@reddit
Not very concerning
Hairy-Ordinary-7224@reddit
The aircraft will be able to fly all the way to the crash site.
Lavasioux@reddit
"There's a man...on the wing!"
CoffeeLoverSupremo@reddit
Probably a Boeing.
Ok_Feature_9772@reddit
That will hold long enough to get you to the scene of the crash.
multic94@reddit
The time to worry about this was before getting on the plane. Now that youre on it, worrying can only hurt you.
financegardener@reddit
That's nice of them to use captive screws like that.
domesystem@reddit
Depends on how many "I"s the crew put into "I'm sure it's fiiine" when you point it out
fmrx@reddit
Might be 1/4 turns.
doctorfortoys@reddit
I would tell the pilot on my way out
G1lg4m3sh@reddit (OP)
Wasn't on my flight to clarify, repost from another community as this sub doesn't allow crossposts.
ManqobaDad@reddit
A plane can suffer A LOT before it falls out of the sky. The roof could rip off the panels can rip off the wings. It can be full of holes. As long as one engine works and the the wings are more or less in tact. Its fine.
martlet1@reddit
It can also suffer a little sometimes and fall out of the sky.
But yeah it’s super safe. And I’m not being sarcastic.
ManqobaDad@reddit
Pretty much so long as its got power and an engine its fine. And thats why theres tons of power redundancies.
And so long as the hsta doest break off. Youre cooked if that falls off.
metz57@reddit
Thrust is a must!
DBFargie@reddit
So it’s not a critical part, but still disconcerting to see.
Strenue@reddit
Need some speed tape
Ok-Swimming-7671@reddit
Do you happen to have a Milwaukee 13 and 1?
poplglop@reddit
The most concerning thing I could possibly think of happening would be if that back fairing fell off midflight and damaged something important behind it like a stabilizer, that would be very unlikely though. I've flown on planes that had that exact fairing completely removed, likely ground crew noticed a similar issue and took it off as precaution. Individual screws coming out is really nothing to be concerned about though. If you let a flight attendant know they'll notify ground grew upon arrival.
Ok-Swimming-7671@reddit
What’s the problem? It all looks fine to me. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
ilikewaffles3@reddit
The part is inconsequential unless it hits the elevator somehow. But ya that thing is not secured at all and needs some speed tape ASAP