On May 25, 2002, a China Airlines Flight 611 was involved in an aviation accident near Taiwan. 225 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The in-flight breakup was caused by metal fatigue cracks from a tail strike at Kai Tak Airport on 7 February 1980 after which the aircraft was not properly repaired according to Boeing policies and manuals. This summary draws on records from Wikidata contributors; 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
China Airlines Flight 611 disintegrated midair 20 minutes after takeoff from Taipei, killing all 225 aboard. The breakup was caused by metal fatigue from an improperly repaired tail strike in 1980.
Accident Overview
China Airlines Flight 611 was a regularly scheduled international passenger flight from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan to Hong Kong International Airport. Twenty minutes after takeoff, the aircraft disintegrated midair and crashed into the Taiwan Strait, 23 nautical miles northeast of the Penghu Islands. All 225 people on board were killed.
Cause
The in-flight breakup was caused by metal fatigue cracks that originated from a tail strike incident at Kai Tak Airport on 7 February 1980. After that incident, the aircraft was not properly repaired according to Boeing policies and manuals. Over more than 22 years of service and repeated depressurizations, metal fatigue caused tiny cracks that ultimately led to the aircraft's breakup.
Probable cause
The in-flight breakup was caused by metal fatigue cracks from a tail strike at Kai Tak Airport on 7 February 1980 after which the aircraft was not properly repaired according to Boeing policies and manuals. Metal fatigue from over 22 years of service and repeated depressurizations caused tiny cracks that led to the aircraft's breakup.