Aug 26 1985
From The Space Library
Lewis Research Center (LeRC) announced today that it would open in September the microgravity materials science laboratory (MMSL) to help experimenters make better decisions about what is and is not feasible for science experiments in space. Such experiments are expected to provide knowledge leading to new materials, more efficient use of earth's nonrenewable fuel resources, new medicines, advanced computers and lasers, and better communications.
Providing a capability that existed nowhere else in the world, the new laboratory would offer U.S. scientists and engineers a low-cost, low-risk way to test new ideas for materials science research in space. Initial research plans would support metal and alloy solidification and electronic crystal growth studies. The laboratory should give U.S. companies a competitive advantage in developing better ground-based materials and/or processing of materials through microgravity research.
The laboratory, along with LeRC's assignment to develop the power system for the proposed space station, would put LeRC into the mainstream of the U.S.'s space research efforts. (LeRC Release 85-63)
At least 54 persons were killed and 83 injured when a Boeing 737-200 operated by British Airtours aborted its takeoff, ran off the runway, and caught fire at Manchester International Airport in northern England, Aviation Week reported. Manchester Airport officials said the pilot radioed as he approached rotation speed that he was having trouble with one of his engines. Then the aircraft rolled off the side of the runway causing the fuselage to break. Fire quickly gutted the aircraft.
British Airtours Flight KT 328, en route to the Greek island of Corfu, carried a full load of fuel plus 131 passengers and a crew of six. Most of those who died were in the rear section of the aircraft. Two crew members were among the dead, but both the pilot and copilot survived.
Loss of life was reduced because the Boeing 737 skidded to a halt near the airport's fire station, and all seven of the airport's fire fighting vehicles were on the scene within minutes. Firemen were able to rescue many of the passengers, although a secondary explosion during the rescue attempt injured two of the firemen. (Av Wk, Aug 26/85, 28)
The investigation into the August 12 crash in a remote mountain area of a Japan Air Lines Boeing 747-100SR after it lost most of its vertical stabilizer and rudders focused on damage in the aft pressure bulkhead of the aircraft, Aviation Week reported. Japan's Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee said it was attempting to determine whether the bulkhead damage was caused by a crack or cracks that existed in the bulkhead, by explosive decompression in the cabin, or by the crash impact. The Boeing Co. said inspections as of August 19 of the aft pressure shell of 43 Boeing 747 aircraft showed no evidence of cracks.
In addition to cracks in the bulkhead, lower ends of 5 of 18 triangular panels, or gores, were buckled toward the rear. Boeing Co. had replaced 9 of the 18 panels after the aircraft was involved in a hard landing June 2, 1978.
Further optional or mandated inspections of the wide-body transport fleet stalled the previous week due to lack of information on damage to the JAL aircraft. Information from Japan was sparse, partly because of restrictions placed on access to the wreckage and because of damage done to some of the vital evidence by members of the rescue team. Rescuers had cut the bulkhead into pieces and removed them to clear the way for rescue. Boeing's accident investigation team had not been able to make a close inspection of the bulkhead by the previous week.
One of the few pieces of evidence-damage to the vertical fin-led Boeing to suggest that Boeing 747 operators inspect the fin and rudder structure. And reports that a depressurization occurred prompted the company to suggest inspection of the external and aft portion of the pressure shell structure.
The Federal Aviation Administration declined to take action pending receipt of more information. (Av Wk, Aug 26/85, 28)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
