19 Dec 1997; 9V-TRF, 737-300, 28556/2851, Del 14/2/97, Silk Air;
near Palembang, Indonesia:
SilkAir Flight 185 took off from Jakarta at 15.23h local time for a
flight to Singapore (ETA: 18.05h local time). At 16.13h, while
cruising at FL350, the aircraft disappeared from radar screens and
was seen crashing nose-down into the river bed of the River Musi.
One of the wings is understood to have broken off during the
plunge. The FDR was retrieved 27 December and the CVR January 4,
both were buried in the mud of the river bed. Sections of the
aircraft's empennage were found on land, away from the main
wreckage. Investigators found more than 20 screws missing on the
top and bottom of the right-hand horizontal stabilizer where the
leading edge attaches to the front spar. It appeared that the
fasteners were never installed. The stabilizer may have separated in
flight, causing the plane to lose control. The FAA issued an
AD January 8, 1998 requiring operators of Boeing 737's (delivered
after September 20, 1995) to check the horizontal stabilizers
within 24h or 5 flights to make sure that all fasteners and
elevator attachment fitting bolts in those structures are properly
in place. Many people also suspect suicide by the Captain. All
seven crew members and 97 passengers were killed.
Source: http://www.b737.org.uk
