Safety Investigation Report 2018:1 Factual Information/1.12/1.12.3
Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018
This page contains an extract from the Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018 and Appendices released by The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370, and dated 2 July 2018.
SAFETY INVESTIGATION REPORT
MH370 (9M-MRO)
1.12.3 Details of the Debris
The debris are briefly described in the following paragraphs. The details of the parts will be found in the Appendix 1.12A to Appendix 1.12W of this report.
1) Item 1 - Right Flaperon
Item No. 1 was found on 29 July 2015 in Saint-Denis, Réunion Island. Réunion Island is a French territory in the Indian Ocean.
This item was one of the biggest and complete part of an aircraft found washed ashore. The item was retrieved by the local French authorities and shipped to General Delegate of Armament Aeronautical Technique (DGA/TA) facility in Toulouse for detailed examination. Because of a court case pending in Paris, the part was taken custody by the French Investigative Judge, as evidence for a criminal investigation.
The part identification, detailed examination and analysis were carried out at DGA/TA in Toulouse under the directive and jurisdiction of the French Investigative judge. Although the name plate was missing, which could have provided immediate traceability to the aircraft (9M-MRO), the part was confirmed to be a right flaperon of the aircraft 9M-MRO, by tracing the identification numbers of the internal parts of the flaperon to their manufacturing records at EADS CASA, Spain.
Refer to Appendix 1.12A-1.
The examination of the flaperon at DGA/TA revealed the following damages:
- a) the inboard and outboard hinge fittings were fractured in two places; at the level of the leading edge and on the lower surface of the flaperon;
- b) the fracture surfaces on the hinge fittings were highly corroded;
- c) the ribs at the edge of the flaperon showed, in their metallic area, holes due to corrosion;
- d) the leading edge showed dents and cracks;
- e) the trailing edge was generally broken;
- f) the lower and upper surface panels showed localised dents and the upper surface had a large crack; and
- g) the mounting attachment zones on each side of the flaperon were damaged or broken off.
In addition, the flaperon was covered with a colony of barnacles.
Most of them were on the upper surface (extrados).
Refer to Appendix 1.12A-2 for details.
2) Item 2 - Right Wing No. 7 Flap Support Fairing
Item No. 2 was found on 27 December 2015 in Daghatane Beach, Mozambique.
The item was brought to ATSB Laboratory in Canberra for detailed examination and analysis. The part was identified from a number stencilled on the part (676EB), as a segment from a Boeing 777 flap track (support) fairing (Fairing No. 7) from the right wing. All measurable dimensions, materials, construction and other identifiable features conformed to the applicable Boeing drawings for the identified fairing. It was concluded that the item is almost certain from MAS B777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO.
Refer to Appendix 1.12B for details.
3) Item 3 - Right Horizontal Stabilizer Panel Piece
Item No. 3 was found on 27 February 2016 in Valankulo, Paluma Sandbank, Mozambique.
The item was brought to ATSB Laboratory in Canberra for detailed examination and analysis. The part was primarily identified from images showing the materials, construction and “NO STEP” stencil, as a segment of a Boeing 777 right horizontal stabilizer panel. All measurable dimensions, materials, construction and other identifiable features conformed to the Boeing drawings for the stabiliser panel. It was concluded that the item is almost certain from MAS B777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO.
Refer to Appendix 1.12B for details.
4) Item 4 - Engine Nose Cowl
Item No. 4 was found on 22 March 2016 in Mossel Bay, South Africa.
The item was brought to ATSB Laboratory in Canberra for detailed examination and analysis. The part was identified from the partial Rolls- Royce stencil as a segment from an aircraft engine cowling. The panel thickness, materials and construction conformed to the applicable drawings for Boeing 777 engine cowlings. There were no identifiers on the engine cowling segment that were unique to 9M-MRO, however the Rolls-Royce stencil font and detail did not match the original from manufacture. The stencil was consistent with that developed and used by MAS and closely matched exemplar stencils on other MAS B777 aircraft. There were no significant differentiators on the cowling segment to assist in determining whether the item of debris was from the left or right side of the aircraft, or the inboard or outboard side of the cowling. It was concluded that the item is almost certain from MAS B777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO.
Refer to Appendix 1.12C for details.
5) Item 5 - Door R1 Stowage Closet
Item No. 5 was found on 30 March 2016 in Rodrigues Island of Mauritius.
The item was brought to ATSB Laboratory in Canberra for detailed examination and analysis. The part was identified by the decorative laminate as an interior panel from the main cabin. The location of a piano hinge on the part surface was consistent with a work-table support leg, utilised on the exterior of the MAS Door R1 (forward, right hand) closet panel. The part materials, dimensions, construction and fasteners were all consistent with the drawing for the panel assembly and matched that installed on other MAS Boeing 777 aircraft at the Door R1 location.
There were no identifiers on the panel segment that were unique to 9M- MRO, however the pattern, colour and texture of the laminate was only specified by MAS for use on Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft. There is no record of the laminate being used by any other Boeing 777 customers.
It was concluded that the item is almost certain from MAS B777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO.
Refer to Appendix 1.12C for details.
6) Item 6 - Right Hand Engine Fan Cowling
Item No. 6 was found on 24 April 2016, south of Chidenguele, Mozambique. The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team. The possible location of the debris on a MAS B777 aircraft was determined. The hinge bracket, number of fasteners and fasteners’ pitch on the part were consistent with those on the right engine fan cowl on the aircraft. The mount found on the part was also consistent with the mount of the fan cowl “Hold- Open Stay Rod” in regards to its location, shape and size of the mounting bracket. The words “HOIST POINT” were still visible and in the correct location. The fonts used for the words on the part matched those on the fan cowl of the aircraft. The part was brought near to the right fan cowl and was found to physically resemble it in terms of shape, size, colour and features.
It has been concluded that the debris is part of the Right Fan Cowl of a B777. As the right fan cowls on both the engines are similar, there is no conclusive evidence to determine whether it belongs to the left (No. 1) or right (No. 2) engine. Based on the other features on the recovered part it has also been determined that the part is almost certain from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO).
Refer to Appendix 1.12D for details.
7) Item 7 - Unidentified Part
Item No. 7 was found on 30 April 2016 on Anvil Bay, Chemucane, Mozambique. The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team.
The exact location of the debris on a MAS B777 aircraft could not be identified since it did not have any markings or numbers and there were no peculiar features which could match it on the aircraft except for one edge of the part which had a distinct radius, which suggested that the joining part would be at an angle.
While the construction was similar to a B777 part, there was no conclusive evidence to determine the origin of this part with respect to the aircraft. After review of the B777 Illustrated Parts Catalogue (IPC), the most possible location of the part was determined to be the wing to fuselage body fairing.
There is no conclusive evidence to determine the origin of this part with respect to the aircraft however it is likely to be a part of a panel of the wing to body fairing on a B777 and it is likely to be from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO).
Refer to Appendix 1.12E for details.
8) Item 8 - Flap Support Fairing Tail Cone
Item No. 8 was found on 24 May 2016 on Gris Gris Beach, Mauritius. The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team.
Initial assessment indicated that this could be a flap support fairing tail cone of a B777. The part was identified from the legible numbers that were observed on the inner surface. The following part number 113W9154-401 and serial number 407 were visible on one side. The profile of the part resembled the wing flap support fairing tail cone. The part number was cross referenced to the Boeing component maintenance manual and drawings. This identified it as a component of the wing flap fairing assembly and the fit closely matched that of the No. 1 flap support fairing. As the records of where these fairing tail cones are fitted are not normally kept by airlines, the serial number 407 could not be tracked to any particular aircraft.
Based on the legible numbers and the fit, it is confirmed that it is the tail cone of the No. 1 flap support fairing of B777 and highly likely to be from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO).
Refer to Appendix 1.12F for details.
9) Item 9 - Left Wing Trailing Edge Panel
The item was found on 22 May 2016 in Macenta Peninsular, Mozambique. The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team.
The item matched the left part (outboard section) of the Upper Fixed Panel forward of the flaperon on the left wing. It was observed that the outboard side was fractured and on the inboard side the fastener holes were still visible with a pitch of 1 in. This fastener pitch matched that on the inboard side of the panel of the aircraft. The fasteners’ pitch on the outboard side is 2 in. The raised portion of the core of the section of the panel of length 18 in. also matched with that on the aircraft panel.
The item is confirmed to be the outboard section of the “Upper Fixed Panel forward of the flaperon” on the left wing. The debris is highly likely to be from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO).
Refer to Appendix 1.12G for details.
10) Item 10 - Left Outboard Flap
Item No. 10 was found on 08 May 2016 at Ilot Bernache, Mauritius. A part number was identified on a section of the debris, identifying it as a trailing edge splice strap, incorporated into the rear spar assembly of a Boeing 777 left outboard flap. This was consistent with the appearance and construction of the debris.
Adjacent to the part number was a second part identifier. The flap manufacturer supplied records indicating that this identifier was a unique work order number and that the referred part was incorporated into the outboard flap shipset line number 404 which corresponded to the Boeing 777 aircraft line number 404, registered 9M-MRO and operating as MH370.
Refer to Appendix 1.12H for details.
11) Item 11 - Seat Back Trim Panel Encasing IFE Monitor
Item No. 11 was found on 06 June 2016 on Riake beach, Nosy Boraha Island, Madagascar.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for the identification and further examination by the Team.
The part was identified as the seat back trim panel which encases the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) monitor. There was a small fragment of fabric around the coat hanger on the debris, which was greenish in colour. This colour matched the seat fabric used on the MAS B777 on the centre seats. The location of the coat hanger on the left conforms to the Right Hand, Triple Seat Assembly column in the Economy (EY) class.
This part is confirmed to be the seat back trim panel for encasing the IFE monitor and is highly likely to be from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO).
Refer to Appendix 1.12I for details.
12) Item 12 - Bottom Panel on Wing or Horizontal Stabilizer
Item No. 12 was found on 06 June 2016 on Riake beach, Nosy Boraha Island, Madagascar.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team. The letters “FB” were clearly visible on the part which indicates that it is a bottom panel on the wing or horizontal stabilizer. An attempt was made to match the part to all the wing and horizontal stabilizer panels with the identification marks ending with “FB”. The thickness and profile of the part did not match any of those panels on the aircraft. However, it could be confirmed that it is very likely to be a part from a Boeing aircraft and likely to be from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO).
Refer to Appendix 1.12J for details.
13) Item 13 - Unidentified Part
Item No. 13 was found on 06 June 2016 on Riake beach, Nosy Boraha Island, Madagascar.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for the further examination and identification by the Team. The part could not be matched exactly to any part on a MAS B777 aircraft. There were also no identification numbers on the part.
Refer to Appendix 1.12K for details.
14) Item 14 - Unidentified Part
Item No. 14 was found on 06 June 2016 in Riake beach, Nosy Boraha Island, Madagascar.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team. The part did not have any distinguishing features to match any on a MAS B777 aircraft. It did not have any identification numbers. The part resembled a cabin interior piece based on the decorative finish, however there was insufficient evidence to positively identify the part to be from an aircraft.
Refer to Appendix 1.12L for details.
15) Item 15 - Right Wing Trailing Edge Panel
Item No. 15 was found on 06 June 2016 in Riake beach, Nosy Boraha Island, Madagascar.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team.
It was identified to be the outboard section of the “Upper Fixed Panel forward of the flaperon” on the right wing of a MAS B777 aircraft. The pitch of the fasteners’ holes on the right side (outboard) of the panel was measured to be 2 in. and that matched that on the debris. The debris is highly likely to be from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M- MRO).
Refer to Appendix 1.12G for details.
16) Item 16 - Cabin Interior Panel
Item No. 16 was found on 12 June 2016 on Antsiraka beach, Madagascar.
The piece was small and did not have any evidence of part number printed on it. The vinyl cover showed a unique pattern of interior decorative panel on one side and white vinyl on the other side of the piece. The pattern was similar to the one used on MAS 777 cabin interior panels. There were also ‘insert’ holes visible on one of the sides. The part has been determined to be almost certain from MH370.
The detailed examination was conducted by the Team in collaboration with Science & Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE) .
Refer to Appendix 1.12M for details.
17) Item 17 - Unidentified Part
Item No. 17 was found on 12 June 2016 on Antsiraka beach, Madagascar.
This item is a sandwich structure panel with Nomex Honeycomb core of typical aircraft composite structure. No markings were found on this item. Further analysis on this item is difficult due to lack of features to indicate that it could be a B777 part.
Refer to Appendix 1.12M for details.
18) Item 18 - Right Forward Nose Landing Gear Door
Item No. 18 was found on 12 June 2016 in Antsiraka beach, Madagascar.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for the identification and further examination by the Team.
The part did not have any identification numbers on it. However, the features on the part resembled the Right Nose Gear Forward Door of a MAS B777 aircraft. The oval depressions on the inner skin and the orientation of a diagonal, raised bar matched that on the Right Nose Gear Forward Door on the aircraft.
The part is positively identified as the Right Hand Nose Gear Forward Door of a B777. It is highly likely to be from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO).
Refer to Appendix 1.12N for details.
19) Item 19 - Right Outboard Flap
Item No. 19 was found on 21 June 2016 in Pemba Island, East of Tanzania. This is the largest piece found after the flaperon and has been determined to be part of the inboard section of the right outboard flap of a B777. The Italian part manufacturer build records for the numbers located on the part confirm that all of the numbers relate to the same serial number outboard flap that was shipped to Boeing as line number 404. Aircraft line number 404 was delivered to MAS and registered as 9M-MRO.
Refer to Appendix 1.12O for details
A fibreglass and aluminium seal pan located at the inboard end of this outboard flap was found damaged. Two adjacent aluminium stiffeners within this inboard seal pan area also exhibited damage which was due to impact.
Refer to Appendix 2.5C for details.
20) Item 20 - Right Aft Wing to Body Fairing
Item No. 20 was found on 21 June 2016 on Kosi Bay Mouth, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team. Part of the identification number was visible on the debris indicating that it is part of the right aft wing to body fairing panel, 196 MR. Part of the part number, 149W5232-1, was visible with the letter ‘R’ below it, indicating it is a panel on the right side of the aircraft.
This item is confirmed to be part of the right aft wing to body fairing panel from a B777 aircraft. It is highly likely to be from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO) .
Refer to Appendix 1.12P for details.
21) Item 21 - Unidentified Part
Item No. 21 was found on 18 July 2016 in Northern Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team. Based on the structure construction, this part could be a small section of a panel from an aircraft. There were no identification numbers on the part and it could not be positively determined from which aircraft and which section it could have come from. It could not be positively determined whether the debris could be from a B777 aircraft.
Refer to Appendix 1.12Q for details.
22) Item 22 - Vertical Stabilizer Panel
Item No. 22 was found on 26 August 2016 on Linga Linga beach Mozambique.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for the identification and further examination by the Team.
On the interior side of the part, there was still a decal with part identification numbers. The Assembly (Assy) Number 177W3103-8 was visible. When referred to the Boeing 777 Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) this part was confirmed to be the right vertical stabilizer panel between the auxiliary and front spar. The red/white paint on the panel and the paint configuration appeared to match that of the MAS ‘kite’ logo on the right side of the vertical stabilizer.
The debris is confirmed to be part of the right vertical stabilizer panel of a B777. Based on the red/white livery on the panel it is determined to be almost certain from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO).
Refer to Appendix 1.12R for details.
23) Item 23 - Unidentified Part
This item was recovered from Riake Beach, Nosy Bohara Island, Madagascar in October 2016.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for the identification and further examination by the Team.
The part structure construction characteristics showed that it was not part of the aircraft structure. It appeared more likely to be from the aircraft interior based on the vinyl and edge sealant which was on the part. The vinyl and sealant colour on the part matched that of the parts generally used in aircraft galleys. Although it appeared to be part of an aircraft interior there is no conclusive evidence to indicate whether the part could have actually originated from an aircraft.
Refer to Appendix 1.12S for details.
24) Item 24 - Unidentified Part
Two items of fibreglass-honeycomb composite debris were recovered near Sainte Luce on the south-east coast of Madagascar, having reportedly washed ashore in February 2016.
They were hand-delivered to the ATSB on 12 September 2016. The items were initially reported in the media as being burnt.
No manufacturing identifiers, such as a part numbers or serial numbers were present on either item that may have provided direct clues as to their origin. Despite no evidence of overall gross heat damage, two small (<10mm) marks on one side of the larger item and one on the reverse side were identified as damage resulting from localised heating. A burnt odour emanating from the large item was isolated to these discrete areas. The origin and age of these marks was not apparent. However, it was considered that burning odours would generally dissipate after an extended period of environmental exposure, including salt water immersion, as expected for items originating from 9M-MRO.
Refer to Appendix 1.12T for details.
25) Item 25 - Unidentified Part
This item was recovered from Riake beach, Nosy Boraha Island, Madagascar in July 2016.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for examination and identification by the Team. There were no identification numbers on the part and with the available features it could not be matched to any part on a MAS B777 aircraft.
Refer to Appendix 1.12U for details.
26) Item 26 - Right Aileron
This item was recovered from Nautilus bay, South Africa on 23 December 2016.
The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team. The debris closely matched the inboard section of the Right Aileron on a MAS B777 aircraft.
The numbers on the head of the fasteners on the debris were compared with those on the inboard section of the right aileron on the aircraft. These numbers matched. Additionally, the spacing of the fasteners on the aileron also matched those on the debris. The core and its dimensions also matched those on the inboard section of the right aileron. These confirmed that the debris is part of the inboard section of the right aileron of a B777 aircraft.
Based on the dimensions and fit on the aircraft and the visible fasteners it could be confirmed that the debris is part of the inboard section of the right aileron of a B777 aircraft. It was also determined to be highly likely from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO) .
Refer to Appendix 1.12V for details.
27) Item 27 - Right Wing No. 7 Flap Support Fairing
This item was recovered from Mpame beach, South Africa on 27 January 2017. The item was brought back to Malaysia for identification and further examination by the Team. The possible location of the part on a MAS B777 aircraft was determined.
It was easily matched to the fixed, forward portion of the No. 7 flap support fairing. Item No. 2, found on 27 December 2015 at Daghatane Beach, Mozambique, is also part of the same fairing; however, it is part of the rear, moveable section.
The debris was thoroughly cleaned to reveal any identification numbers. After cleaning, the numbers 113W9211-402, S/N: 406 were found on the inside surface of the debris. The part number 113W9211- 402 indicated that the debris was indeed a part of the No. 7 flap support fairing of a B777 aircraft. The serial number, 406 could not be used to link it to any particular aircraft as there were no records available to confirm this.
Based on the legible part number and the match of the part on the aircraft it is confirmed that the debris is part of the fixed, forward No. 7 flap support fairing of a B777 aircraft, and also determined to be highly likely to be from MH370 (aircraft registered as 9M-MRO) .
Refer to Appendix 1.12W for details.