AggieDave 6 #1 December 4, 2002 Once again, I couldn't even make this stuff up... http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A5484-2002Dec3¬Found=true QuoteThe Federal Aviation Administration said yesterday that it proposed an $805,000 civil penalty against United Airlines, which is struggling to avoid bankruptcy, for making improper wing repairs with tape on three Boeing 727s. United said it will dispute the fine. In an Oct. 7 letter to United, the FAA said the three aircraft were operated for a total of 193 flights before being permanently repaired. At a maximum $11,000 per violation, United would be subject to a fine of $2.1 million, but the FAA said that "having considered all the circumstances in this case, we would be willing to accept an offer in compromise in the amount of $805,000 in full settlement of this matter." United spokesman Joseph Hopkins said the airline will contest the fine because "this is not an airworthiness issue." The planes were not unsafe and no passengers were ever in danger, he said. In each case, mechanics on March 2 used a special tape called "speed tape" to repair holes in ground spoiler panels -- flat panels on the wings that are raised into the wind stream as a plane lands to help keep the plane solidly on the runway and to assist in braking. While it's routine to use speed tape to make temporary repairs, in two cases the holes being repaired were slightly larger than allowed by the United maintenance manual, and all three were closer to the edge than allowed. The manual allows use of the tape with holes no larger in diameter than 2 inches and no closer to the edge of the panel than 3 inches. The three holes measured 2.6 inches, 2.5 inches and 1.75 inches in diameter and were located 2 inches, 2.25 inches and 2.125 inches from the edge of the spoiler. It is rare for an airline to pay a full fine in such cases. Usually, the amount is negotiated down in consultation with FAA officials. And I thought jump planes were the only ones that did that...--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #2 December 4, 2002 YIKES!!!Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #3 December 4, 2002 Gawsh, I sure am glad the FAA don't check my camera helmet. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falxori 0 #4 December 4, 2002 please please please tell me you made this up... mechanics on March 2 used a special tape called "speed tape" to repair holes in ground spoiler panels *** how dumb can people get ?? "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 December 4, 2002 Nope, I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried! Truth is truely stranger then fiction, IMHO. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyhi 24 #6 December 4, 2002 But it worked so well for the Air Force! Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #7 December 4, 2002 Hey, did any of those planes crash? Lose a wing? Have a mishap? Proof positive that duct tape does, indeed, hold the world together!!!Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MyUserID 0 #8 December 4, 2002 Aren't there certain types of tapes that are approved for temporary fixing of minor damage?? ------------------------------------------------------ Remember kids, eagles may soar, but at least weasels dont get sucked into jet engines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #9 December 4, 2002 Speed tape is a VERY common way to put on a temp fix. I used miles of it while I was in the Air Force. The tape isn't really there to hold anything together. It's just there to cover holes and make them aerodynamic again. The only problem in this instance was that the damage was OUT OF LIMITS in the first place and should have been fixed properly. Doesn't sound like it was THAT big of a deal but if they are letting this ride then what else has been over looked? That's what those dickhead FAA guys are around for I guess. QuoteAren't there certain types of tapes that are approved for temporary fixing of minor damage?? Yep...this isn't duct tape. It's "Speed Tape" which is something like pretty tough aluminium foil with one sticky side. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falxori 0 #10 December 4, 2002 Quote Yep...this isn't duct tape. It's "Speed Tape" which is something like pretty tough aluminium foil with one sticky side. like the one the A-team used while turning an old fridge into a nuclear sub... "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #11 December 4, 2002 Quote like the one the A-team used while turning an old fridge into a nuclear sub... That's the stuff!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outofit 0 #12 December 4, 2002 haven't u ever heard of hundred mile an hour tape. they say it works i dunno. It is better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #13 December 4, 2002 Never heard of speed tape, but if you put some stickers on your car (like a v-tech sticker on a Toyota) it gives your car extra horsepower. Is that the same kind of thing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ernokaikkonen 0 #14 December 4, 2002 Have none of you heard the old aircraft-builders saying: "Well taped is better than badly welded" ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig 0 #15 December 4, 2002 Quote But it worked so well for the Air Force! I belive this mishap with the C-141 was caused a "stupid refueler trick". Another angle attached...These things fly over my house all the time since I live near the approach to WPAFB. Can't wait till 2006 cause they will be changing over to the C-5's I understand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #16 December 5, 2002 step away from keyboard... I work in a maintenance facility for a United subcontractor... must not reply I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #17 December 5, 2002 Got Tape? --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #18 December 5, 2002 uh..no... no speed tape here, nope never heard of the stuff... aluminum foil on an airplane, pfft, who would think up such rubbish? I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #19 December 5, 2002 QuoteAren't there certain types of tapes that are approved for temporary fixing of minor damage?? i had a roll of the kevlar impregnated stuff that was requisitioned...hung onto it for like 3 years and only used a few feet..unfortunatly someone requisitioned it back... that stuff was cooooooool____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #20 December 5, 2002 Ahh the beauties of an "employee" owned company. That, and the feds just denied a $1.8B loan request...Chapter 11, there they go...you'll be seeing a lot more "speed tape"... ..."we'll just get some of that there bondo and fix 'er right up"...So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #21 December 5, 2002 DUCT Tape, if its good enough for NASCAR, it is good enough for me I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lippy 918 #22 December 5, 2002 Well, if they do go under, I hope it's after mid-January. I'm flying United to AZ. Now, if they go under while I'm in AZ, that's an excuse to extend my vacation if I ever heard one I got nuthin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jraf 0 #23 December 5, 2002 Dave, considering what we jump out of 40 year old duct taped 727 is a wonder of safety.! Do you want to live forever?jraf Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui. Muff #3275 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrumpySmurf 0 #24 December 5, 2002 I've gotten some interesting stories out of a satellite office for a certain airline based out of the US on short cuts taken by mechanical staff to get a plane needed on the flight line to meet schedules, with the hopes the regulators wouldn't find out - to the extent employees were commenting, "I wouldn't get on that plane.". If the FAA found out about this, one has to wonder what didn't they find. Honestly, not surprising at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrumpySmurf 0 #25 December 5, 2002 Quote but if you put some stickers on your car (like a v-tech sticker on a Toyota) it gives your car extra horsepower. Double HP if the stickers are in Japanese kanji Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
