June 1, 1981

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Safety

Fatigue Fracture Is Cited in Air Canada Tailcone Loss

At 1212 EDT, on Sept. 17, 1979, Air Canada Flight 680, a scheduled passenger flight to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, departed Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts. About 14 min. after takeoff, at an altitude of about 25,000 ft. msl., the tailcone along with the aft cabin pressure access door and a portion of the aft cabin pressure bulkhead separated from the aircraft causing rapid decompression of the passenger and flightcrew compartments.

Space Technology

Reentry Damage Below Expectations

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.—Shuttle orbiter Columbia’s aerodynamic smoothness during reentry was five times better than design specification, allowing a much cooler reentry and thus preventing more significant heat damage to thermal protection system tiles that were chipped and gouged by debris from the shuttle’s external tank during ascent.

By Craig Covault16 min

Space Technology

Titanium Tiles Considered for Shuttle

Los Angeles—Negotiations are under way between NASA’s Langley Research Center and Rohr Industries for an array of titanium multiwall thermal protection system tiles that will be tested at Langley in preparation for possible flight of an array of 24 titanium tiles on the space shuttle.

By Bruce Smith6 min

VIEWPOINT

The Dark Side of Deregulation

Benefits of airline deregulation in the U. S. are known clearly. Route freedom and fare flexibility have answered age-old desires of carriers to expand and pass through costs. Fares are reasonable. Promotional rates are attractive. Greater levels of competition have stimulated the industry.

By James Ott5 min

May 251981

June 81981

June 1, 1981

June 1, 1981