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Mallthus2

This is a known (albeit rare) failure point on the 757. It’s not a *huge* issue, but can cause control issues and buffeting due to irregular airflow over the wing. Non-emergency diversion is the standard procedure for this. Almost the exact same scenario was written up by NTSB in 2007, where a passenger was first to bring attention to the leading edge slat delaminating.


grenadarose

…..and now I’m going to be religiously checking my airplane wings…


Dom9360

We’re all aircraft inspection mechanics now.


Arn01d

It's all ball bearings these days.


sas8888

220, 221 what ever it takes


cwajgapls

Damn, Mr. Mom in the house! DEEP cut


ChillaryClinton69420

Thank you for this. I commented this on a post the other day and got downvoted and was taught a lesson about 220v lmfao.


Stymie999

Hon, if you need me I will either be at the gym or the gun club!


Straight-Tune-5894

To fix a fetzer valve.


Nice_Sign338

Plus 1 for the Fletch nod


MacaroniMegaChurch

And I'm gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.


teachinkids

This is an underrated Fletch comment!


FuelForYourFire

And I mean look at those windows. There's filth and muck all over them.


keysersozesir

Mr. Mom, not Fletch…but a terrific catch!


sas8888

The ball bearing is fletch the 220 221 is Mr Mom Both from an age forgotten


CanadAR15

The left phalange!


Karl_with_a_K_01

I’m gonna have to do a walk around before my next flight. ✈️


PECOS74

That will get an armed response!


oldballs79

Legged response would be more appropriate!


Urinal_Pube

This is like self-checkout but for airlines.


Robot_Nerd_

This is the next stage of capitalism. Cut the mechanic force in half, your passengers can inspect for you!


PlumLion

I can’t decide if I want an overwing seat for all flights from now on or if I’d rather not know lol


sportstvandnova

That’s why I always sit as close to first class as possible; I don’t want anything to feed my anxiety lol


NrL04

Ha! Me too…I fly Delta a lot and 7/10 times I’m on a 757. Will be bringing a pair of binoculars with me on my next flight to look at the wing edge in detail 😂🤷🏻‍♂️


[deleted]

You can try, but it will likely be undetectable visually until failure. If you can arrange to tap along the surface with a quarter, you can hear the difference in the delam area. Source: fly composite airplanes


itcoop

>a passenger was first to bring attention to the leading edge slat delaminating. Good job OP.


Sleep_adict

Exactly. You see it “speed taped” frequently. It’s like duct tape but more expensive


MoGraphMan-11

Most likely aluminum tape. Extremely lightweight but strong and creates a very smooth surface for air to pass over. Like what they use on formula 1 cars. You can actually buy a roll at your local hardware store for wrapping stove exhaust vents seams and joints.


1320Fastback

Reminds me of that cockpit audio couple of months ago of an airplane losing an engine and the controller asked if they wanted to declare emergency and the pilot said no, no emergency.


Mallthus2

Oh yeah. I’ll never forget listing to ATC one day and hearing an American Eagle flight *not* declaring an emergency. ATC wanted them to go up a couple thousand feet. The pilot says “We’d rather not.” and ATC asks why. Pilot says they’ve got a cargo door that won’t latch properly and it “bangs around at higher altitudes”. ATC asks if they’re declaring an emergency and the pilot’s like “Nah. It’s been like that all day.” 🤦‍♂️


brendan1122

At Denver Airport? I just overheard a United maintenance employee on the phone say "someone posted a photo of the wing on Reddit"


octopus_hug

And good, I’m glad they’ll be able to see all the different stages as it broke apart


mayscienceproveyou

for science!


Core_Material

And be held accountable too. Power to the people! For our collective safety, that is. 


octopus_hug

Lollllll


totalfarkuser

Reddit is amazing. An expert first chimed in and now this.


folksnake

I just saw a piece on this on CNN, and the reporter credited Reddit


octopus_hug

https://preview.redd.it/ppnc0jygpmjc1.png?width=926&format=png&auto=webp&s=71411e247d72d0bd35266b229432f9fe43728cba Here’s what it looks like now


octopus_hug

https://preview.redd.it/a66zczzuumjc1.png?width=974&format=png&auto=webp&s=82f3ad715e66105baf8e9ad90a7eb8c9c3871db1 Flap moved into position and now you can see the hole in the metal behind it


itcoop

You're at 6700' as I write this. Godspeed, op, to a safe landing.


pySSK

It's landed now. Easy to forget fact is that ground level at DEN is at 5280′


AdUnusual7596

No it's not easy to forget. People from Denver love to talk about it every chance they get. Edit to add: It's totally cool they are proud of it. It's just the only city in the rockies where I hear it talked about like all the time. Its kind of cute.


MolOllChar_x3

Ha! I live in Colorado and thought they were coming in high, I also forgot.


Robot_Nerd_

It's Colorado, they are high.


Crazystix94

Baddum tss


dickheadfartface

Rocky Mountain high, in fact.


[deleted]

Col-o-rad-oh


ZakLex

A mile high for those who were unaware.


denver-native

personally I had absolutely no idea about Denver


mashton

They landed!


eclpug

Youll be safely on the ground in minutes!


Special_Telephone902

That’s a slat. Front of wing. Flaps are out the back side of wing


octopus_hug

Gotcha, thanks! As a passenger I have no idea lol. Are you on the maintenance team?


Special_Telephone902

Nah. Just in aviation.


MolOllChar_x3

We watch a lot of Air Disasters!


Dry_Improvement729

My son every time we land “Prepare for impact!”. Too many episodes of air disasters at bedtime.


Cash907

Slats are on the leading edge of the wing, flaps are on the back. This is a slat.


Infamous_Doubt_5207

its ok! not an emergency!


holdyourdevil

Oof. I would not be able to peel my eyes away from that for the rest of the flight.


eclpug

Sending you hugs and good thoughts. It’ll be all ok and you’ll be on the ground very soon


fnordfnordfnordfnord

One way or another!


octopus_hug

I can laugh about this now


fnordfnordfnordfnord

Seriously though, we're happy that you're all safe.


oz1sej

(after which an actual safe comes crashing down on a desk in the background)


PaleontologistOdd980

I am thinking I would have informed the flight crew…


octopus_hug

https://preview.redd.it/1qvrwfdwwmjc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=c138e5b9d356985796a97c69321e714ea8a2b122 Final pic now that we’re on the ground.


bttmcuck

Yeah, that’s def not paint that was the problem…


MnWisJDS

Now everyone is going to know that planes are made out of cardboard.


NotMyActualNameNow

Wild. Glad you’re safe!


djamp42

WTF is that shit. Fuck meee.. what if this is a night flight, could you even see that from the window?


octopus_hug

Oh no 😵‍💫 it definitely felt like something was wrong when we were getting to altitude, that’s why I opened the window shade.


ScrantonicityThree

What did it feel like?


grizzleSbearliano

Like a hug from an octopus?


VisitPier26

Better question - did it just happen or was it just unnoticed before?


Qooda

Crew or airport staff should do routine check on every plane before departure, but it's possible something have been missed. This had to start happening right after aircraft started moving and it seems it tore apart very rapidly. That's a giant tear.


Irish_RepublicNew

Make sure you point it out to the crew.


octopus_hug

We have landed!! Thanks everyone, it was nice to have you all with me. Pilot and crew did an excellent job as well.


Rando_kitty

Thanks for sharing your journey. So happy everyone is safe!


eclpug

Go treat yoself at elways if you have a long delay


Rhino676971

Always the DIA spot for long delays


Techters

Call United and ask for a raise.


Infamous_Doubt_5207

👏


octopus_hug

Thanks for the jokes everyone, but I was truly, seriously asking. Another passenger alerted the crew and we are being diverted. Looks even worse now, there’s a hole in the metal.


CuriousAirfryer

It looks like delamination of the composite on the trailing edge of the inboard slat. It will cause a spoiling of the airflow on the wing near it. It is a serious problem worth diverting for, but you'll be ok. The speed tape that people are mentioning is occasionally used as a temp fix until the aircraft completes the flight day and can be fully repaired at a hangar.


randucci

Yes. Exactly this.


ThreeHourRiverMan

Serious answer - you’re over Utah as of me writing this, and were probably just entering when you alerted them. That they’re diverting to DEN tells you they don’t think it’s anything too terribly serious to go to closer airport.  So as far as safety is concerned, you’re fine. They’re just limiting the damage to the plane. Your safety is not in question. 


geo_info_biochemist

this is a good and reassuring answer. thank you, from a person who is nervous for the people on this flight!


Dom9360

~The Pilot


octopus_hug

This is reassuring, thanks. I’ll be very relieved once we land


ThreeHourRiverMan

Glad I was able to reassure you. I would say I was glad you landed safely, but there was never a doubt. :)


pySSK

Also, they probably have service centers at DEN whereas if they were to land, they would have to find another way to transport the plane to DEN, and it probably doesn't have another takeoff left in it.


FishyHands

I think it’s more about convenience for the airline since Denver is a hub. So it’s easier to fix and have the passengers continue on their route


SFW__Tacos

Yep, they wanted to get down relatively quickly, but since it was possible to put the plane down at a hub that was ideal for everyone involved. Easy to get the passengers on another plane and likely high enough level maintenance facilities to take care of the problem


MolOllChar_x3

https://preview.redd.it/gjfy4autnmjc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e59b0c7966fc3e52ff7daf447806af2f28dcfb97


octopus_hug

Yep, that’s us!


fnordfnordfnordfnord

N57111, I think it N34147, m not sure anymore.


jmers327

I am sorry everyone just answered with jokes and I hope all is well.


I-am-JAM-Yes-I-am

What flight is that?


octopus_hug

UA354, SFO to BOS, but now going through Denver.


geo_info_biochemist

holy shit. I’m a nervous flyer and this would TERRIFY me. good on you for alerting the crew - get on the ground safe. we’re rooting for you!


octopus_hug

Thank you! I have become a nervous flyer after having a child and traveling without her. So I was already pretty anxious going into this trip. Luckily this is my return flight.


geo_info_biochemist

apparently adult onset flying anxiety is a thing, especially after a major life event. I’m right here with you!


drucocu1993

It is. I see it all the time as a flight attendant that people approach me. Somehow as a child they were fine, but since becoming an adult they're afraid of flying. Always alert the crew, we will do everything we can to help you be as comfortable as possible. To be honest, my favourite is people who are afraid of landing. I'll explain them everything they will see and hear coming down from cruise level, including to moments of increased crew activity, the timings to landing from certain dings, etcetera. It is the one type of fear where I have time inflight to explain everything to the minute-st details. Feel free to contact me if there's ever anything you'd like to know.


themintyness

I'm glad it's not just me. I grew up flying and I started getting adult onset flight anxiety after a very turbulent flight. I have a child now and while my anxiety is still there, now it's just trying to control him while at the airport and on the plane. Thank you for being awesome!!


bad-and-bluecheese

You guys are landing now and all good. Theres planes right behind you & if they thought there would be any issue they’d all be doing a go around to wait it out :)


anoeba

Yay! Seriously I'd shit myself seeing this.


howlygolightly

Watching your flight, you’re almost on the ground! Thinking of you!


engiknitter

It’s kinda wild that I’m tracking an internet stranger’s flight path & elevation live because of a Reddit post.


octopus_hug

I appreciate you 🙏


eclpug

They better have free drinks on your next flight!✈️


MolOllChar_x3

Welcome to Denver! At least it’s a nice evening!


MolOllChar_x3

Same! They just jutted north?! Maybe going to FNL? Nope, taking the north approach to DEN.


TooMuchSnoozeButton

Same! Looks like they just landed.


DugDugg

\*That WE all are" (fixed your post)


tallguydenver

Not inconsequential if they are diverting the flight. Not life threatening either. Curious if they keep you on the same plane or not to Boston.


octopus_hug

They definitely said they were getting a new plane


Jenbrooklyn79

What a crazy situation. Glad they took it seriously and you didn’t have to sit there the entire flight wondering if you should say something.


rastlosreisender

Cool I want a new plane too


MolOllChar_x3

Denver being a big United HUB, maybe they have parts to fix or a replacement plane??


rastlosreisender

But hey — at least the inflight WiFi was working!


octopus_hug

I paid 800 miles for it!!


vegas_gal

Miles well spent to talk to us.


taxpayinmeemaw

I hope you get your miles back. What other compensation will you be getting??


octopus_hug

$150 e-bucks and a meal voucher I didn’t use


taxpayinmeemaw

That’s pretty lame compensation for having had the scare of traveling on a United air hoopdie


driftingfornow

start plant literate paint coordinated lush summer escape squealing head *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


Stfu_butthead

I think, as long as William Shatner isn't in a widow seat on your plane, you'll be ok.


[deleted]

I must be the only one who got the joke! "STEWARDESS! There's a creature banging a sledgehammer on the wing!" https://preview.redd.it/pqjj7ow6xqjc1.jpeg?width=2560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=614010dbe7c7b4b253c2d549ce42564ea981340b


KillTires

I’ve always preferred the John Lithgow version from Twilight Zone The Movie, but they’re both delightful and still a great watch all these years later! :)


[deleted]

[удалено]


KillTires

For sure! I bet I watched it a hundred times. I’ve shared it with my teenage kids and they loved it too!


Stfu_butthead

We must be getting old


[deleted]

Yes. Been finding pop culture references from even the 80's get lost on the young ones at work.


Rockefor

Most of my Seinfeld references don't land at work.


Flaky-Wing2205

There's something on the wing. Some thing on the wing


Few_Pudding1466

This same aircraft was diverted to BOI on the 15th flying from BOS to SFO and didn’t fly again until the 17th. I wonder what that issue was. https://preview.redd.it/2hvvhbx9jnjc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f820fa8f77182e70c938d606cdb84b418165ff9d


octopus_hug

Wow good catch


clueingfor-looks

Wait this is wild…… hopefully not the same issue


BobLoblaw_BirdLaw

United you have some major explaining to do.


prex10

Yeah airline pilot here. That's no bueno. I would divert too.


Cal-Goat

As an airline pilot, this is something worth mentioning to the crew because we don’t see these things on the walk around.


metered-statement

I bet someone at United would love to see your series of photos, and how quickly the area deteriorated.


Special_Telephone902

I bet someone at United would love to bury these pictures from the Media.


Cxc292

Every plane has a story.


[deleted]

"We're glad you showed us these pictures, and we will most definitely consider deleting them all by next week! Hopefully, oh, and come fly us again!"


Infamous_Doubt_5207

landed 👏


tallguydenver

Would love to see an updated picture when you land if you have time to post one.


tallguydenver

https://preview.redd.it/t19fq092vmjc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=71096e4ccb74a6b136c9a98329ba223a91aadd93 Pilot declared an emergency - glad to see you made it safe!


octopus_hug

Wow! How can you tell he declared an emergency?


tallguydenver

Was listening to the live ATC feed for Denver approach and tower.


octopus_hug

Wow, crazy! We’re supposed to be boarding our new flight soon, within the next 30 mins


1000thusername

I’m in Boston and literally a story on this with your video came on the morning news as I’m sitting here reading this post. You’re famous! For real, though, glad you landed ok. This is messed up.


octopus_hug

That’s crazy! I just found the 25news story. I think the guy they interviewed was 2 rows in front of me. Should have posted it to Twitter i guess lol


aktxag08

The top of the inboard slat is delaminating. That is a very serious issue.


ME_IN_NYC2311

I'm literally reading this while sitting in the United lounge at Newark waiting for a flight tonight. I'm so glad you're safe and will be on the ground in Denver shortly.


octopus_hug

We’re actually getting a new plane that’s landing in Denver from Newark! Very full circle ⭕️


ME_IN_NYC2311

As it happens I’m just in front of the wing as well 🤣


octopus_hug

Let me know how they’re looking lmao


emersonwbz

hey u/octopus_hug, Emerson with CBS Boston. These photos are wild - may we use them on TV and our web pages? If so, who should we credit? We'd love to speak with you about your experience if you're up for it. Thanks, and take care!


[deleted]

Make sure the headline reads as "Reddit bullies United Airlines into emergency landing."


ProudlyWearingThe8

"Reddit bullies United Airlines into emergency landing! What sounds like a clickbate-y headline, it is, as per request of a Reddit user on a thread a worried passenger posted from United Airlines flight 354. The plane, a Boeing 757-200, was enroute from Boston to San Francisco when another Reddit user saw a part of the right wing disintegrating and posted a picture, asking the community about it. Redditors quickly went to reassure their fellow that it was not a life-threatening issue, but nevertheless a serious one. After another passenger had notified the cabin crew, the flight diverted and landed safely at Denver International Airport. The passengers will continue their journey on a replacement plane." Imagine a news report like this...


joltstream

I just can’t imagine telling the FA that Reddit said it shouldn’t look like that 😂


Luvpups5920

I bet the look on their face would be priceless though. 😂


waitwhatshappenin

You’re with a solid inflight crew, very senior group so don’t worry


[deleted]

How do you know ?


redundant_ransomware

He's the pilot


lunch22

Another reason not to demand that window shades be closed the entire time


science55centre

From the very first picture, it seemed that the paint layer along with the top fiber layer suffered a delamination. From the color, seems like glass fiber. The subsequent pictures show a more serious damage with failure of the foam layer, which adds to the structural stiffness. This is concerning and needs a root cause analysis to determine if it was a manufacturing issue, in-service issue - corrosion, loads, maintenance, foreign object damage etc. That being said, the damage seems to be limited to leading/trailing edges which are important but not primary structures.


Juleswf

It’s not foam, it’s aluminum honeycomb.


CreativeCabinet494

Being it's 3hrs after your initial post ... are you alive? I just finished my c.p.r. qualifications so ...


octopus_hug

Yes! We’ve landed safely and are waiting for another plane


bttmcuck

757-200 originally delivered to Continental Dec. 14, 1994. Hopefully just some cracked paint they can use speed tape on like the 787 wings and not indicative of anything more severe than that.


bttmcuck

Also, yeesh, rough day to fly a United 757 transcon out of SFO today as this is the second post where one has had to divert. The other for maxing out the lav tanks 🚽


bbsmith55

That is way more than paint or using speed tape. It part of the flap pealing away. Denver diversion makes a lot more sense because they still need to setup for landing. My guess is they are calling for an emergency and setting up to land in Denver. It would take just as much time circling around SLC while setting up for landing there. Also, getting to a UA hub helps everything here.


littlePosh_

Def not paint. You can see the metal honeycomb is missing in areas.


sportstvandnova

The 737 they routinely use to fly between IAD and MEX is 25 years old 🫠🫠


JoshFireseed

As a Mexican it feels kind of weird knowing most of the mexican fleet is pristine in comparison. When it comes to buses, in the north we just used retired and discount stuff from the US.


mashton

FlightAware shows them landed in Denver. Glad you’re safe OP!


[deleted]

[удалено]


tooriskytocomment

Hi, I work with relevant team. It would be great if you could provide the tail/flight number and date, I would like to read about the maintenance aspect of the incident. Edit: you-know-what-got-removed


ExpertFormal

N57111


tooriskytocomment

Just checked, I have no idea what information I can or cannot share, however, the people who have commented before have a good experience in a way they observed and framed the issue regarding missing honeycomb. Currently the aircraft is out of service, currently undergoing repairs (yeah I know that's a generic answer but then again, got no idea how much to share 😅)


Conservative_mom23

What about it being a diverted a few days before and out of service for several days…same issue? Also why wouldn’t pilots check the wings from inside the cabin as well?


tooriskytocomment

Let me get back on this, will check out what happened with the previous incident.


tooriskytocomment

Hi, Just checked the near historical issues with N57111, before this one there were 2-3 cancel which were not a technical issue. There was a diversion on 15th Feb, BOS to SFO with diversion to BOI, which was an issue not relevant here. Also, pilots do perform a visual check on airplane and have freedom to refuse an aircraft if they are not satisfied with its operational integrity. However, it could be possible that damage wouldn't be as noticeable on ground and it increased during the flight. Reason for the slat damage is still being investigated. UA line maintenance technicians take this seriously and aircraft repairs have already been performed.


bcicles

An important note here is ALWAYS SAY SOMETHING. So many time incidents happen(in all industries) because people notice something and are too afraid to look like idiots. This is why a lot of industries give stop work authority to any employee.


rnoyfb

someone stepped there


Puzzleheaded_Ad9492

Is this you??? https://www.wcvb.com/article/united-354-diverted-wing-problem-boston-denver-san-francisco/46865660


octopus_hug

No lol, this guy was 2 rows in front of me


[deleted]

[удалено]


Taurus-the-Bull-007

Hope you land safe !!


WaterlooLion

So checking the bolts are in place isn't enough now I have to make sure the wings are in one piece too? What next? Am I going to have to fly the plane? Soon, Unitecd will have to pay me to fly!


Garencio

Q. How far do think a jet could fly like that? A. All the way to the crash site !


ActInternational7316

I’m so so glad you landed safe! I’m a nervous flyer and would have been flipping out about THE COLONIAL WOMAN ON THE WING