The De Havilland Comet

Risk management failure

(Project Management)

Prototypes
Initial planning for the post-war era of jet aircraft can be traced as far back as 1941 8 Comets had already been sold before they were even built Production line was set up before the prototype had flown (huge financial risk if changes to design are needed).

4/23/2008

Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE

Maiden Flight

The Comet first flew on 27. July 1949, flown by John Cunningham It was the star attraction at the 1949 Farnborough Air Show but during its flight at the show, a panel buckled, showing that the skin was too thin.

The early aircraft were not even painted.

Full-scale testing would be carried out but the aircraft would still go into service as planned (but testing was not actually carried out until the Comet fleet had been grounded, a few years later).
Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE 3

4/23/2008

High Demand

In the first year of service, 28.000 passengers were carried. Over 50 aircraft were ordered. Before the first year was out, work started on the Comet 2 (with Avon engines). In Autumn 1952, the Comet 3 was announced, capable of carrying 76 passengers.

4/23/2008

Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE

Design

Thin metal skin composed of advanced new alloys. Both chemically bonded and riveted, saving weight and reducing the risks of fatigue cracks spreading from the rivets.

4/23/2008

Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE

All metal, four-engine jet aircraft Integral wing fuel tanks Four-wheel main undercarriage units Two pairs of de Havilland Ghost 50 turbojet engines buried in the wings close to the fuselage to avoid the drag of podded engines under the wings Smaller fin and rudder configuration Reduced risk of asymmetrical thrust.
Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE 6

4/23/2008

Features

About 50% faster than rival aircraft On some routes, cut journey times by as much as half. Relatively simple, fuel efficient engine Low maintenance costs and little vibration Could fly above any bad weather which traditional piston aircraft would have to fly through.
Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE 7

4/23/2008

Comet Disasters

On 2 May 1953, when a BOAC Comet 1 (G-ALYV) crashed in a severe tropical storm six minutes after taking off from Calcutta,
India.
4/23/2008 Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE 8

G-ALYP ("Yoke Peter") crashed off the Italian island of Elba (BOAC Flight 781, 10 January 1954) with the loss of everyone on board. On 8 April 1954, Comet G-ALYY ("Yoke Yoke"), on charter to South African Airways, was on a leg from Rome to Cairo, when it crashed near Naples.
Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE 9

4/23/2008

Causes

Stress around window corners was much higher than expected, and stresses on the skin were more than previously tested Conclusion: stress concentration, a consequence of the window's square shape. Punch rivet construction technique employed; windows had been engineered to be glued and riveted, but had been punch riveted only, not drilled.

4/23/2008

Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE

10

Aftermath
Thirteen aircraft were lost in fatal accidents Five of them were considered to have been brought about by aircraft design or fatigue problems.

Although the Comet was the first jet airliner in scheduled passenger service, the damage done to the aircraft's reputation by the Comet 1 disasters contributed to Boeing's domination of the jetliner market.
Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE 11

4/23/2008

Lessons Learned

The first prototype 707 was flown in 1954 and Douglas launched the DC-8 program in 1955.
According to John Cunningham, representatives from American manufacturers such as Boeing and Douglas "admitted that if it hadn't been for our problems, it would have happened to one of them".

4/23/2008

Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE

12

The End of The Comet

Nimrod MRA 4, expected to serve with Britain's Royal Air Force until the 2020s
4/23/2008 Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE 13

The End
Thank you for your time

4/23/2008

Crista Ana-Maria---Cazacu Oana/ Gr. 143, Sels, ASE

14