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| Title: | Airframe vibration during climb, Boeing 747-236B, G-BDXJ, 18 June 1996 |
| Micro summary: | During climb, this Boeing 747-436 experienced airframe vibration. A diversion commenced; the problem was a missing wing panel. |
| Event Time: | 1996-06-18 at 2130 |
| File Name: | 1996-06-18-UK.pdf |
| Publishing Agency: | Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) |
| Publishing Country: | United Kingdom |
| Report number: | EW/C96/6/6 |
| Pages: | 3 |
| Diversion Airport: | London Heathrow Airport, London, England |
| Site of event: | Climb |
| Departure: | London Heathrow Airport, London, England, United Kingdom |
| Destination: | Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India |
| Airplane Type(s): | Boeing 747-236B |
| Flight Phase: | Climb |
| Registration(s): | G-BDXJ |
| Operator(s): | British Airways |
| Type of flight: | Revenue |
| Occupants: | 316 |
| Fatalities: | 0 |
| Serious Injuries: | 0 |
| Minor/Non-Injured: | 316 |
| Other Injuries: | 0 |
| Diverted to: | London Heathrow Airport, London, England |
| Executive Summary: | During the climb phase of a flight from London Heathrow to Delhi, a moderate airframe vibration became apparent on selecting Flap 5° to Flap 1°, and continued during selection from Flap 1° to zero. The vibration level reduced to 'slight' after flaps up until passing FL 265 at Mach 0.83, when moderate airframe vibration returned. The aircraft was levelled at FL 270 and the speed reduced to 310 kt IAS, whereupon the vibration level again reduced. The decision was made to dump some 50 tonnes of fuel and return to Heathrow. Vibration was again experienced as the flaps were selected from 0° to 1°, and increased on selecting 5°. However the vibration level decreased with further flap selection and decreasing speed. An uneventful landing was made, and a subsequent inspection revealed that a section of the left wing trailing edge upper inboard panel was missing. |
| Learning Keywords: | Systems - Flight Controls - Spoilers - Slats - Flaps |
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