What was a design flaw of the de Havilland Comet?
Cracks had developed in the fuselages of the ill-fated Comets, around doors and window apertures as the aircraft were subject to repeated pressurisation cycles – where the fuselage is pressurised for passenger comfort at the start of each flight and depressurised when the engines shut down – and as the particular form …
Why did the de Havilland Comet fail?
The cause of the two planes breaking up in mid-flight was found. It was metal fatigue, exacerbated by the squarish window design. Engineers redesigned the structure of the plane, including adding rounded off windows, for what became the Comet 2, and that was the end of that issue.
Are there any de Havilland Comets still flying?
The de Havilland Comet was the world’s first commercial passenger jet aircraft. Did you know? The Comet made the first commercial journey by a jet aircraft on 2 May 1952. The last civil Comet to fly was our Comet 4C, G-BDIX on her journey to East Fortune in September 1981.
Why did the Comet have square windows?
The Comet’s designers opted for large, squared-off windows because they looked more attractive than the simpler, round “porthole” style that had been more traditional. Unfortunately for the Comet, and for dozens of passengers who would die in several resulting crashes, metal fatigue was also not well understood.
Why did the DH 106 Comet fail?
The Comet was withdrawn from service and extensively tested. Design and construction flaws, including improper riveting and dangerous concentrations of stress around some of the square windows, were ultimately identified.
How fast was the Comet plane?
Specification (Comet 1)
Powerplant | Four 4,450 lbst DH Ghost 50 |
---|---|
Span | 115 ft Maximum Weight 105,000 lb; (120,000 lb) |
Capacity | 36 to 44 passengers |
Cruising Speed | 460 mph (400kn) |
Range (full load) | 1,500 miles (1,300nmi / 2,400 km) |
Is de Havilland still in business?
The deal, which closed on 3 June 2019 following regulatory approval, brought the entire de Havilland product line under the same banner for the first time in decades, under a new holding company named De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited.
Why are airplane windows so small?
Windows on aircraft are small to maximise the areas of hull between them, to increase the strength of the air frame. The air frame would be stongest if the hull had no windows.
When did Dan-Air retire the comet?
November 1980
Dan-Air built a 49-strong Comet fleet between 1966 and 1976. It retired the last example in November 1980.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rvx-r2itrE