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Missing aircraft, Boeing 777, 9M-MRO, 8 March 2014
Identification of two items of debris recovered in Mozambique
Introduction
On 27 December 2015 and 27 February 2016, two items of debris were independently found, approximately 220km apart, on the Mozambique coast. Both items were delivered to the relevant Civil Aviation Authorities in Mozambique and South Africa in early March 2016. Assistance from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) was requested by the Malaysian Government in the formal identification of the items to determine if they came from the Malaysian Airlines Berhad (MAB) Boeing 777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO, operating as MH370.
The parts were packaged in Mozambique and South Africa respectively and delivered safe-hand to the ATSB in their original packaging, in the custody of the ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team members.
The following is a brief summary of the outcomes from the debris examination. This debris examination summary is released with the concurrence of the Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370.
Quarantine and marine ecology
On arrival into Australia, both parts were quarantined at the Geoscience Australia facility in Canberra. The parts were unwrapped and examined for the presence of marine ecology and remnants of biological material. Visible marine ecology was present on both parts and these items were removed and preserved. The parts were subsequently cleaned and released from quarantine.
Identification
Part No. 1
The first part was initially identified from a number stencilled on the part (676EB), as a segment from a Boeing 777 flap track fairing (Fairing No. 7) from the right wing (Figure 1). All measurable dimensions, materials, construction and other identifiable features conformed to the applicable Boeing drawings for the identified fairing.
The 676EB stencil font and colour was not original from manufacture, but instead conformed to that developed and used by MAB during painting operations (Figure 2). The part had been repainted, which was consistent with MAB maintenance records for 9M-MRO.
Figure 1: Location of flap track fairing panel No. 676EB
Source: Boeing 777 aircraft maintenance manual (modified by ATSB)
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ATSB – AE-2014-054
Figure 2: Flap fairing outer surface showing stencil location and comparison
Source: ATSB
Part No. 2
The second part was primarily identified from images showing the materials, construction and “NO STEP” stencil, as a segment of a Boeing 777 RH horizontal stabilizer panel (Figure 3). All measurable dimensions, materials, construction and other identifiable features conformed to the Boeing drawings for the stabiliser panel.
The part was marked on the upper surface in black paint with “NO STEP”. The font and location of the stencil were not original from manufacture, however the stencilling was consistent with that developed and used by Malaysian Airlines (Figure 4).
A single fastener was retained in the part. The fastener head markings identified it as being correct for use on the stabiliser panel assembly. The markings also identified the fastener manufacturer. That manufacturer’s fasteners were not used in current production, but did match the fasteners used in assembly of the aircraft next in the production line (405) to 9M-MRO (404) (Figure 4).
Figure 3: Location of horizontal stabiliser panel No. 3 upper
Source: Boeing 777 Parts Catalogue (modified by ATSB)
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ATSB – AE-2014-054
Figure 4: Stabiliser panel “NO STEP” stencil and fastener comparison
Source: ATSB, Boeing
Conclusions
At the time of writing, ongoing work was being conducted with respect to the marine ecology identification as well as testing of material samples. The results from these tests will be provided to the Malaysian investigation team once complete. Nevertheless, from the initial examination it was concluded that:
• Part No. 1 was a flap track fairing segment, almost certainly from the Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO.
• Part No. 2 was a horizontal stabiliser panel segment, almost certainly from the Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO.
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