B747-400
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; MEL; Procedure
A B747-400 aircraft was released for departure with two MEL items. Number 1 Pack was 'Inoperative' and Number 4 Flap Canoe fairing had been removed from the aircraft. Made stabilized approach to Runway-15 and landed in the touchdown zone with a Flap setting of 25. The Post-flight walk-around inspection was performed by Captain Y. He discovered a flap control rod protruding a few inches from the top of the Number 3 Flap Canoe fairing. Captain X brought this to my attention and I made a personal inspection. In turn; I brought this circumstance to the attention of Contract Maintenance personnel. After Contract Mechanic performed his initial inspection; he decided to electrically lower the flaps for a more comprehensive inspection. His immediate assessment was damage of unknown origin to flap control rods on Number 3 and Number 4 flap track assemblies. I made a maintenance logbook entry; identifying the initial discovery made during the post-flight walk-around inspection of the aircraft. I believe voluntary removal of aircraft fairings and/or related protective equipment is not a good scenario.
Pilot reports finding a Flap Control Rod protruding a few inches from the top of Number 3 Flap Canoe fairing on a B747-400 aircraft during a post flight walk-around inspection. Maintenance noted damage of unknown origin had occurred to Number 3 and Number 4 Flap Control rods on both flap track assemblies.