Safety Topics: Failure of Beam End Fitting Available to Purchase

IN preparation for take‐off of a Boeing 747–136 aircraft, when the throttles were advanced to 1.2 EPR with the brakes ‘ON’ the crew heard a ‘bang’. A cockpit check revealed no unusual indications and take‐off, climb and flap retraction proceeded normally. At about 5000 ft the steward reported that a skin panel had ruptured in the left wing forward of the inboard spoiler and behind the aft spar. Following consultations with engineering staff the crew jettisoned fuel and landed back at London (Heathrow) at a weight 5300 kg below maximum landing weight. No problems were experienced in handling and a normal landing was made.