marcum@rhino.UUCP (Alan M. Marcum) (03/05/85)
Regarding the cause of the tail's partial departure, last I heard, yes, the gear doors tore it off -- though no one is really sure. It is thought that the crew did NOT intentionally lower the gear; rather, the G-forces during pull-out defeated the up-locks in the landing gear system, and the gear dropped out. (My understanding of the 747 main gear system is that once the gear are raised, they are held in place be mechanical locks, and hydraulic pressure is released.) Be interesting to see what Aviation Leak -- er, Week -- has to say over the next month or so! -- Alan M. Marcum Fortune Systems, Redwood City, California ...!ihnp4!fortune!rhino!marcum