engine gone... scroll down

747 Engine Loss Event over Michigan

Boeing.... Our struts take a licking and keep on ticking.

ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) -- A cargo plane from Chicago landed safely at
Detroit Metropolitan Airport early Thursday after losing an engine that may
have landed in Lake Michigan.
Federal Aviation Administration officials in Chicago say a Kalitta Air
LLC jet took off from O'Hare International Airport late Wednesday. It was
bound for New York's Kennedy International Airport when it reported
mechanical problems with one of its engines when it was 15 miles east of
Battle Creek.
The Boeing 747-100 was diverted to Detroit Metro in Romulus, where it
landed without incident. No one was injured.
When the plane landed, flight officials discovered the engine not only
was a mechanical loss, but was physically gone, the FAA said.
It was believed to have been lost over Lake Michigan, but law
enforcement officials were searching the Battle Creek area as well.
The National Transportation Safety Board was leading the
investigation, and the FAA was lending support.
Kalitta is based in Ypsilanti and offers worldwide air freight
service.
Airplane is a 747 converted to freighter (with side cargo door).
Part of the engine remains attached at the aft engine mount.

Event
The airplane was climbing thru 18,000 ft after departure from ORD.
The crew "sensed an event" but there were no abnormal indications
in the flight deck (prior to the event).
An on-board mechanic went and looked out the window and saw the
No.1 engine gone.
The airplane diverted to Detroit with an uneventful landing.
The engine is suspected to be in Lake Michigan. Data from initial
ground inspection
The engine departed the pylon (the pylon is still attached to the
airplane)
The separation is near some welds that are discolored
Part of the outboard LE slat was damaged/missing (See attached