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separation was found to be a direct consequence of the impact with the ground.
The landing gear was found in a partially lowered position (see par. 11.2.3.5 - Hydraulic system}.
The flaps were in the retracted position; the outer one was in its seat, the inner one was broken into two main parts.
The aileron was broken into two parts: the smaller one was found about 150 feet away from the sing; the other part was still attached to the wing.
Ri t wing: from the nacelle of engine No. 3 to the plane's ’fltl—“cen er line (area shanks—No . 6 and 7)
The wing structure from refer-awe point 196.D. (outer bulkhead of tank No. 6) to reference paint zero (plane's center line), including tank No. 6 and the right half of tank No. 7, disintegrated in flight into my pieces, which were found scattered over the path of fall of the wreckage, but at a distance up-couree from the main wreckage and the right wring.
In the area of tank No. 6 included between reference points 196.1). (outer bulkhead), 65.13. (bummed-partition between tank No. 6 and tank No. 7), the upper wing structure and the front spar (constituting, with the rear spar and the two Mead—partitions, tank No. 6) showed clear algae of haung been bent outward, manifestly the result of strong pressures.
In particular, the wing panels, on both the upper and lower sides, constituting the top and the bottom of tank No. 6, showed a curvature of about 25 centimeters.
Likewise:
[1] Several pieces of the outer bulkhead, reference point 196.D., showed Signs of stress from pressure coming from the interior of tank No. 6;
[2] The eucemination of two intact ribs, inside tank No. 6, shorted that they had become detached from the upper and lower wing covering following the shearing, in a. vertical direction, of the junction rivets.
In the area of tank No, 7 right side (comprised between reference points 65.D.0.), the wing structure, recmered in
several pieces, had also been bent outward, but somwhat less than tank No. 6.
These structural pieces - namely, those of the right side of tank No. 7 - were fmmd, as has already been stated, together with those of tank No. 6 scattered over the path of fall of the wreckage, up course from the main wreckage and right wing;
