Page:CAB Accident Report, Continental Airlines Flight 12.pdf/8

- 8 - The leading edge flaps on both wings were fully extended and had received minor damage. The ailerons were attached and operable as were the spoilers, which were found in the down position. The trailing edge flaps were attached, damaged, and the jackscrews were fully extended.

There was no evidence of flight control cable or system malfunction before impact.

The wheel brakes and anti-skid systems of N70773 were given functional tests and no discrepancies were found.

Examination of the tires from the nose and main landing gears showed that 30 percent or more tread depth remained on them. There was evidence of rubber reversion on all the tires as indicated:

Two tires were flat after the accident. One had a cut in the sidewall but the other was in good condition with no cuts present. Tire pressures on the other main landing gears tires ranged from 104 to 132 p.s.i. Tire pressure should have been 125 ±5 p.s.i. No evidence of preimpact failure or discrepancy in the tires, brakes, or anti-skid systems was found.

The No. 1 engine was still attached to the strut but the other three engines had separated from the struts, with portions of the struts still attached to the wing. Examination of the engines and crew testimony revealed no evidence of pre- accident failure or malfunction.

The landing lights were in the fully extended position and undamaged.

1.13 Fire

The only evidence of fire was the burning and sooting of the insulation below the baggage compartment floor line at FS l160 and sooting of the rear oxygen bottle in that area. The No. 3 engine was located in this area under the fuselage.

The Fire Department foamed this area for about three minutes. A short time later, because it was still smoking, another application of foam was attempted. Because of obstructions, this application was ineffectual and an opening was cut in the fuselage. At this time the passenger breathing oxygen supply discharged into the area but did not create any problems.

Dry powder extinguisher agent was sprayed on the engines that were smoking although no flames were observed.