Date: 02 February 1995
Airline: VASP
Flight No.: 957
Aircraft: Boeing 737-2A1
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Fatalities: 0:129
Photographer: Unknown
The aircraft [PP-SMV] departed São Paulo's Guarulhos Airport for a flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Following flap retraction, the no.3 flap 'IN TRANSIT' light remained lit and the crew noticed some other problems: they were not able to reduce no.2 engine thrust below 1.15 EPR and the 'A' hydraulic system had suffered a pressure loss. An emergency was declared and the aircraft touched down on runway 09L at 185kts, flaps at 15°. The 737 overran the runway by 200m and came to rest following a collapse of the nosegear and right main gear. It appeared that the no. 3 leading edge flap actuator attachment fitting on the wing front spar had fractured due to corrosion. The actuator broke away and caused the failure of some hydraulic lines and damage to the thrust control cables. Some 1981 Boeing Service Bulletins had not been complied with, including one that included the replacement of the aluminium leading edge flap actuator attachment fitting with a steel one.
