#MissingBolts – TSAMOURIS WP

Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©

A pilot with the Australian airline Qantas raised concerns about the airline’s maintenance standards after
sharing shocking footage of a Boeing 737 plane missing three out of four bolts and a seal on an engine air
duct. The video, tweeted by journalist Michael West in September 2023, showed that the missing pieces had
fallen into the plane’s cowl.

According to West, the maintenance work on the plane was carried out in Brisbane, and the issue was
identified by engineers on a Saturday. While the missing bolts could have potentially led to a fire onboard,
West admitted that suggesting the plane could have crashed would be too alarmist.

Qantas stated that safety had always been their top priority and that an investigation was underway to
determine how the defects occurred. The airline also emphasized that the air duct takes air away from the
engine and does not impact its operation.

West has raised concerns about Qantas’ cost-cutting measures and outsourcing, suggesting that these
factors may be contributing to mounting problems with the airline’s planes. He also pointed out that
regulators inspect Qantas planes before takeoff to ensure their safety.

Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©

Four missing high-strength Grade 8 bolts are at the center of the MTA’s investigation into the January 10,
2024, derailment of an F train in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The bolts, which were meant to secure a critical
component called the “radius arm” to the train’s undercarriage, were discovered missing from the derailed
car.

Radius arms play a crucial role in keeping a subway car’s wheels and axles properly aligned during
movement. Experts warn that a fallen or broken radius arm can lead to a derailment.

While the cause of the derailment is still under investigation, with track issues and other factors not yet ruled
out, the MTA believes the missing bolts may have contributed to the incident. It remains unclear whether the
bolts broke before disappearing or were improperly installed.

In response to the derailment, the MTA has inspected approximately 50,000 radius arm bolts across its
subway fleet, focusing on R160 cars and similar designs. No systemic issues were found during these
inspections, and officials believe riders are not currently at risk.

At Tsamouris, we recognize the critical role that high-quality fasteners play in ensuring the safety and
reliability of transportation systems.

Tag: #MissingBolts

Missing Bolts on Qantas’ Boeing 737 Engine

Missing Bolts Contributed to Brooklyn F Train Derailment