Boeing is investigating the causes and the costs of a botched pressurisation test that resulted in severe damage to a new 747-400F destined for an unidentified Asian operator. The manufacturer, which says the mishap occurred during a routine pre-delivery pressurisation test inside the Everett final-assembly building on 3 March, says “two teams have been set up, one to investigate the causes and the other to assess the repairs that will be needed”. Reports say the build-up in internal pressure caused the aircraft’s hinged nose cargo door to suddenly release from its locking mechanism. The door pivoted so rapidly around the upper hinges that it reportedly broke the flightdeck windows and caused structural damage to the fuselage skin. The radome is also thought to have been dislodged during the incident, which Boeing says did not result in any injuries.
Source: Flight International
