1.12.3 Wings
The left and right wings were located on the left side of the airplane in the main wreckage area. The right wing remained attached to the fuselage center section, and the left wing was located under the fuselage and right wing.
The outboard section of the left wing was located approximately parallel to and under the right wing section. This portion of the left wing structure was approximately 80 percent intact and had sustained extensive postimpact fire damage to the upper skin and midspar (between wing stations 470 and 1200), including the midspar web and chord structure. The corresponding lower skin and stringers also exhibited considerable fire damage. Exposure to the postimpact fire resulted in various degrees of damage to the remaining wing structure, including the leading edge and trailing edge flap structure. The outboard wing tip, which comprised 10 composite aluminum and fiberglass structures, was found separated from the wing box at the surge tank end rib at wing station 1548 and was not damaged by fire.
Most of the right wing inboard and outboard trailing edge flaps and support structure were found intact and attached to the wing box, except for approximately 6 feet of the inboard fore, mid, and aft flap structure of the inboard-most section of the flap. This section had separated and was found in the debris path in the vicinity of the initial impact point. Examination of the ball screw indicated the flap extension was approximately 25°.
All of the leading edge variable camber flap and inboard Krueger flap structure was destroyed by impact forces and the postcrash fire. The trailing edge flaps and control surfaces were found relatively intact with some localized fire damage, except for the inboard flap system, No. 4 flap track, and No. 6 spoiler, which separated from the wing box during initial impact.
The No. 1 through No. 5 flight spoilers were found in place in a neutral position at the in-spar box structure. The spoilers exhibited extensive fire damage. The No. 6 ground spoiler had separated from the wing and could not be located among the wreckage. Examination of the spoiler support beam revealed evidence consistent with overload from impact forces.
The full combination of outboard flap and support structure on the left wing was found in place on the wing box with a detent extension indicative of approximately 25°. All of the inboard flap and most of the support structure had separated from the wing box and was found along the wreckage path, with numerous parts in the area of the initial impact point.
1.12.4 Engines
All four of the engines were found separated from their respective mounted positions on the airplane. The No. 1 engine was located about 970 feet from the initial
