What happened
On 5 August 1998, a Lockheed L1011 Tristar, registration TF-ABD, was operating a passenger flight from Manchester Airport to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. During the initial climb following departure, a member of the public observed an object falling from the aircraft. The detached component, described as an air vent cover, was later recovered and provided to the Cheshire Police.
Despite the loss of the part, the crew and the 235 passengers on board did not experience any vibrations or noticeable changes in the aircraft's handling. The flight proceeded to its destination in the Canary Islands without further complications or damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Investigators identified the fallen object as a non-structural panel measuring approximately 65 cm by 65 cm. This component served as a cover for an air vent located within the upper pressurised section of the rear fuselage. The operator confirmed that the part was not a structural element of the aircraft.
Following the event, the operator initiated an internal inquiry to determine the specific mechanism that allowed the panel to detach. As a preventative measure, the airline issued a directive to both ground and flight engineering staff, mandating inspections of this specific panel across the entire fleet of Lockheed L1011 aircraft operated by the company.
Findings
- The detached component was a non-structural panel covering a rear fuselage air vent.
- The loss of the panel did not impact the flight safety or the continued operation of the aircraft.