A342 ZS-SLB missing winglet
G'day all, on 27th December, A342 ZS-SLB operated into PER (Springbok 280/281) minus its portside winglet. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me at work for photographic evidence, but does anyone know the story of why it was removed? It is common practice that while a new winglet is sourced, 744's and A340's continue their regular operations to minimise the downtime, and thus financial impact it has on the carrier. My best guess would be bird strike at high speed (i've seen a EK 772 leading edge severely damaged by the collision of the jet on a high speed descent and a a high flying eagle!), and hence removed, had high speed tape placed over the join to minimise drag until a spare is sourced. Thanks, Happy New Year, Gibby Perth, Western Australia
G'day all, on 27th December, A342 ZS-SLB operated into PER (Springbok 280/281) minus its portside winglet. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me at work for photographic evidence, but does anyone know the story of why it was removed? It is common practice that while a new winglet is sourced, 744's and A340's continue their regular operations to minimise the downtime, and thus financial impact it has on the carrier. My best guess would be bird strike at high speed (i've seen a EK 772 leading edge severely damaged by the collision of the jet on a high speed descent and a a high flying eagle!), and hence removed, had high speed tape placed over the join to minimise drag until a spare is sourced. Thanks, Happy New Year, Gibby Perth, Western Australia