Why did the de Havilland Comet fail?

The failure was a result of metal fatigue caused by the repeated pressurisation and de-pressurisation of the aircraft cabin. Another fact was that the supports around the windows were riveted, not glued, as the original specifications for the aircraft had called for.

What happened to the de Havilland Comet commercial passenger jet aircraft?

The de Havilland DH. 106 Comet was the world’s first commercial jet airliner. The Comet was withdrawn from service and extensively tested. Design and construction flaws, including improper riveting and dangerous concentrations of stress around some of the square windows, were ultimately identified.

How many de Havilland Comets crashed?

Three aircraft
The de Havilland Comet (Fig. 6.2, left) was the first passenger jet liner, carrying travellers initially in 1952, but then showing serious issues during its first year of commercial operation. Three aircraft crashed in a short time.

Are any de Havilland Comets still flying?

de Havilland built the last Comet in 1964. One year later, BOAC retired all of its Comets, as it just had no place in their fleet. Dan-Air used the aircraft until 1980 when it also retired the aircraft. March 14th, 1997 British ministry of Technology performed the last documented flight of the de Havilland Comet.

What was the purpose of the de Havilland Comet?

The De Havilland DH106 Comet was heralded as the new age of commercial jet-powered air transport and many predicted that Britain would now lead the way in aircraft production around the world.

When did the last De Havilland Comet fly?

On 7 April 1954, Peter Duffey co-piloted the sleek, four-engined de Havilland Comet G-ALYY into Heathrow Airport. It was the last leg of the new scheduled British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) jet passenger flight between London and Johannesburg.

Why was the Comet an important plane in the history of flight?

The Comet 1 airliner roared into the air— and into history—on 20,000 pounds of thrust from its four De Havilland Ghost jet engines. The plane smoothly accelerated to a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet and a speed of 460 miles per hour, more than 100 miles per hour faster than the fastest propeller-driven airliner.

What went wrong with the de Havilland Comet?

de Havilland Comet. The other one was due to overstressing of the airframe during flight through severe weather. The Comet was withdrawn from service and extensively tested. Design and construction flaws, including improper riveting and dangerous concentrations of stress around some square openings in the fuselage, were ultimately identified.

Why is de Havilland so important to the aviation industry?

But its role as a pioneer helped pave the way for future airliners, and De Havilland’s engineers’ discovery of the dangers of metal fatigue from pressurization cycles made future airliners far safer from that danger than before.

Was the comet the first jet airliner?

The Backstory: When it comes to lists of planes, the de Havilland Comet jetliner is often mentioned prominently. It was not only the first jet airliner, but many regard it as one of the most beautiful aircraft of all time. Others note that its place in history is assured as a design with an early history of mysterious, fatal crashes.

What was the first commercial jet in the world?

Jump to navigation Jump to search. The de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world’s first commercial jet airliner. Developed and manufactured by de Havilland at its Hatfield Aerodrome in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, the Comet 1 prototype first flew in 1949.