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Table 1 Pitting corrosion incidents of aircraft and helicopters

Aircraft

Location of Failure

Cause

Incident Severity

Place

Year

From

Bell Helicopter

Fuselage, longeron

Fatigue, corrosion and pitting present

Serious

AR, USA

 1997

NTSB

DC-6

Engine, master connecting rod

Corrosion pitting

Fatal

AK, USA

 1996

NTSB

Piper PA-23

Engine, cylinder

Corrosion pitting

Fatal

AL, USA

 1996

NTSB

Boeing 75

Rudder Control

Corrosion pitting

Substantial damage to plane

WI, USA

 1996

NTSB

Embraer 120

Propeller Blade

Corrosion pitting

 Fatal and serious, loss of plane

GA, USA

 1995

NTSB

Gulfstream GA-681

Hydraulic Line

Corrosion pitting

Loss of plane, no injuries

AZ, USA

 1994

NTSB

L-1011

Engine, compressor assembly disk

Corrosion pitting

Loss of plane, no injuries

AK, USA

 1994

NTSB

Embraer 120

Propeller Blade

Corrosion pitting

Damage to plane, no injuries

Canada

 1994

NTSB

Embraer 120

Propeller Blade

Corrosion pitting

Damage to plane, no injuries

Brazil

 1994

NTSB

F/A-18

Trailing-edge Flap (TEF) Outboard Hinge Lug

Corrosion pitting, fatigue

Loss of TEF

 Australia

 1993

AMRL

Mooney Mooney 20

Engine, interior

Corrosion pitting, improper approach

Minor injuries

TX, USA

 1993

NTSB

Aero Commander 680

Lower Spar Cap

Corrosion pitting

Fatal

Sweden

 1990

Swedish CAA


Review of Pitting Corrosion Fatigue Models, D.W. Hoeppner, V. Chandrasekaran, and A.M.H. Taylor, University of Utah and FASIDE International Inc.