Question

Problem I: (Each answer should not exceed 6 to 8 lines) (a) What is Comet and what was the primary reason for its failure (explosion)? (b) In what way the Continental Airlines and its Mechanic were involved in the disaster of the world's first supersonic transport aircraft in the year 2000? (c) What is the responsibility of a designer in developing a new product or system? In what way a designer can make him(her)self not responsible for the failure of the product or system that involves loss of property or life? (d) What are the reasons for the breakage of the tanker, S. S. Schenectady, into two pieces even before the start of sailing? (e) What is the need of considering standards and codes organizations such as ASTM, ASME, AISI, and AGMA during product or system development?

Answer 1

Answer of a)

Comet is referred to a small celestial body which mostly consists of ice mixed with dust and rock.On the name of this celestial body a company De Havilland made DH 106 Comet,which is the world's first commercial jetliner.It featured a pressurized cabin,two turbojet engines placed in wings,large square windows which are designed aerodynamically.There was various reasons of failure including pilot errors during landing or takeoff,due to structural problems(i.e  defect in design and metal fatigue that resulted ultimately in the explosion) etc.

Answer b)

In year 2000, Concorde supersonic jet met accident partially due to negligence of Continental Airlines and a mechanic who works for the company.The Concorde burst into flames and smashed into a hotel on takeoff on July 25, 2000.It was found that a tyre under the left wing blew during takeoff when it struck the small strip of titanium on the runway.The blown tyre debris gone through wing and the fuel tank was ruptured which sparked into a catastrophic fire.Various reasons for accident which came after investigation are as follows which shows negligence of staffs.

|)The aircraft was overloaded by 810 kilograms

||) Design of fuel tank was not proper as it damaged by foreign object.

|||)The titanium strip which was left on runway after repair work done on the flight which took-off earlier to this plane.

|V) From left main landing gear beam Concorde was missing a crucial spacer.