After a year of factual data collection of the flight CI611 accident

investigation, the investigation team presents the factual data report relevant to this accident. The factual data report has been verified by all investigation team members and approved at the ASC 56th Council Meeting, The Aviation Safety Council held the press conference on June 3, 2003 and published the factual data report on the ASC web site. http://www.asc.gov.tw/



According to Article 84 of the Civil Aviation Law, Republic of China (ROC), and Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), which is administered by the International Civil Aviation organization (ICAO), the Aviation Safety Council (ASC) has immediately launched a team to conduct the investigation of this accident. The investigation teams also include the Accredited Representative of the manufacturer, the NTSB team (FAA, the Boeing Aircraft Company, and Pratt and Whitney), plus members from the CAA /ROC and China Airlines with a total of 68 members.

An Interim Safety Recommendation Bulletin was published on March 11, 2003 both to CAA/ROC and ICAO.

Based on the nature of the accident, twelve investigation groups was organized including ATS/Weather, Flight Operations, Wreckage Recovery/Transportation, Recorders, Injury Documentations, Security, Systems, Structure, Maintenance Records, Organization & Management, Wreckages Reconstruction, and Database.

The factual report contains 703 pages and 155 attachments.

Following are the highlights of the factual data report:

After examination of the primary and secondary radar, wreckage distribution and injury documentation, in-flight break-up of the accident aircraft was confirmed

No traces of external forces found

The investigation team has found no evidence in the area of ATS, Weather, Flight Operations, and any Security matters related to the causal factors of this accident.

After examination of wreckage, victims’ remains (including clothes), and cargo goods, the investigation team has found no evidence in the area of fire, smoke, and explosives

No anomalies found related to power plants.

Recovered 175 bodies/remains

Recovered 1,432 wreckage pieces, approximately 75~80％ of the accident aircraft

After examination and test of the Flight Engineer’s panel and Air Conditioning panel, the Pack valves were found 2 closed and 1 nearly closed, the Bleed Valves were found 2 closes and 2 opened, and the Pressurization Control panel switch was in manual position

Multiple Site Fatigue cracks found during examination of item #640.The fatigue cracks are located about (and covered by) the area of the repair doubler, as the result of 1980 tail strike in Hong kong

The total length of the sum of the fatigue crack is 25.4 inches, with 15.1 inches of continuous through thickness crack, centered at STA2100, end –to-end length of the multiple site fatigue crack (between STA 2065-STA2135) is 69.5 inches

Multiple scratches found on the skin covered by the repair doubler, 89％ of the fatigue crack follows the extension of the scratches

Between STA2055 & STA2146 (total length of 93.5 inches, including the fatigue crack region), incremental crack growth & metal rubbing were also found in many places

Corrosion found in multiple sites around the same area

Paint deposits found centered at STA 2100 between the repaired doubler and skin

Numerous hoop-wise marks found between STA 2061 to STA 2132, on the overhanging portion of the faying surface of the repair doubler

CAL considered the 1980 repair followed Service Repair Manual-SRM, and not considered as a major repair.

Other than the ERE related to temporary repair (Appendix 9-1) and a note related to permanent repair (Appendix 9-3), no other documentations related to the 1980 repair were provided by CAL.

FAA published the Repair Assessment Program-RAP regulation on April 25, 2000 and became effective on May 25,2000

B18255 RAP program was approved by CAA on May 24,2001 and would be implemented on November, 2002 at the 7C Check (Prior to 22,000 flight cycles)

At the recommendation of FAA, the CAA/ROC established a comprehensive inspection program on 1996



Analysis portion of the investigation process will commence immediately after the release of this report by ASC alone without the participation of the accredited representatives and parties’ involvement. Preliminary draft will be finished at the end of 2003 and will be provided to investigation team members for comments. Final report will be published before Oct.2004.

On May 25, 2002, 1528 Taipei local time (UTC0728), China Airlines Flight CI611, a Boeing 747-200(B18255), crashed into the Taiwan straits approximately 23 nautical miles north of Makung, Penghu Islands of Taiwan, Republic of China (ROC). Radar indicated that the aircraft experienced an in-flight breakup at about 35,000 feet. The aircraft was on a scheduled passenger flight from Chian-Kai-Shek International Airport, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC to Chek-Lap-Kok International Airport, Hong Kong, China. All 225 occupants on board the CI611, including 209 passengers and 16 crewmembers, were killed.

Complete Factual data report can be accessed from ASC website (http:///www.asc.gov.tw) after 11:am June 3, 2003.





For more information, please contact:

Flight Safety Investigator: Tracy Jen

Tel: 2547-5200 ext 167